A Letter from the Chef Soups are delicious simple and fun to make The recipes in this book are kid-friendly Children will love the tastes and be proud of the re sults The book is designed so that families can quickly cook up a souper meal that will look and taste exquisite Soup is versatile a meal or a prelude to one hot or cold hearty or light and from every culture imaginable Once you are familiar with these basic recipes you will be able to use any vegetable in the refriger ator and nearly any spice on hand So before you go shopping check to see what’s already in the kitchen Soup is particularly soothing in the colder months The aroma of soup simmering on the stove is intoxicating A bowl of hot and hearty soup takes the chill away and makes you feel warm and good all the way through These soup days will become memory-filled a warm house a loving family cold weather outside and hot food inside Spring soups make use of all that is fresh new and sparkling with life Cold summer soups are refreshing The soups in Blue Moon Soup are listed seasonally as suggestions any soup is good at any time My wife and I owned the Soup Kitchen Restaurant in Northampton Massachusetts for ten years and kids loved our soups Ice Cream Soup is a universal crowd pleaser Vegetables such as broccoli in our Brrroccoli Soup au Gratin take on new exciting tastes Use fresh spices and vegetables when available however frozen or canned ingredients are fine to make things easier Soups are built around a main vegetable or meat and usually one dominant spice For example Peace Soup’s central ingredients are peas and mint The main spices can be varied according to what you like If you don’t like mint in the Peace Soup try curry Taste as you go If there’s not enough flavor add more seasonings a little at a time To make the most flavorful soups first sauté the vegetables and spices in melted butter or olive oil whichever taste you prefer The broth is add ed later This is a quick easy method The soup will have an outstanding flavor and delicious aroma far better than if you had just added the veg etables and spices to the broth viii
Always present the soup in a pretty and appetizing way Decorate the tops of all the soups salads and spreads with an attractive garnish Ask your mom dad or grandparents for a soup recipe Every family has one that could top these Every culture has distinctive flavors that make its foods unique Think about the foods you love best and see if a soup can be created from them The possibilities are endless ix
What You Will Need (cid:115) A pot for soup two to three quarts with a lid The pot should be heavy so the soup won’t burn (cid:115)(cid:0) Additional saucepans (cid:115)(cid:0) A large skillet (cid:115)(cid:0)(cid:0)(cid:0)Apron optional (cid:115)(cid:0)(cid:0)(cid:0)Blender (cid:115)(cid:0)(cid:0)(cid:0)Bread pan (cid:115)(cid:0)(cid:0)(cid:0)Colander (cid:115)(cid:0)(cid:0)(cid:0)Cutting board (cid:115)(cid:0)(cid:0)(cid:0)Flour sifter (cid:115)(cid:0)(cid:0)(cid:0)Garlic press optional (cid:115)(cid:0)(cid:0)(cid:0)Grater (cid:115)(cid:0)(cid:0)(cid:0)Ladle (cid:115)(cid:0)(cid:0)(cid:0)Large mixing bowl (cid:115)(cid:0)(cid:0)(cid:0)Masher (cid:115)(cid:0)(cid:0)(cid:0)Measuring spoons and cups (cid:115)(cid:0)(cid:0)(cid:0)Melon baller optional (cid:115)(cid:0)(cid:0)(cid:0)Microwave oven optional (cid:115)(cid:0)(cid:0)(cid:0)Muffin tin and paper liners (cid:115)(cid:0)(cid:0)(cid:0)Oven mitts or pot holders (cid:115)(cid:0)(cid:0)(cid:0)Rubber spatula (cid:115)(cid:0)(cid:0)(cid:0)Salad bowl (cid:115)(cid:0)(cid:0)(cid:0)Scrub brush (cid:115)(cid:0)(cid:0)(cid:0)Spoons fork knife (cid:115)(cid:0)(cid:0)(cid:0)Teapot (cid:115)(cid:0)(cid:0)(cid:0)Vegetable peeler (cid:115)(cid:0)(cid:0)(cid:0)Whisk (cid:115)(cid:0)(cid:0)(cid:0)Wooden spoon x
Rules of the Soup Kitchen 1 Always wash your hands before you begin cooking 2 Wash all vegetables too They’re fun to scrub with a brush 3 Assemble all the ingredients before beginning to cook 4 Have an adult help when using knives the blender the oven or the stove 5 Use oven mitts when handling anything hot 6 Turn pot and pan handles to the side when they’re on the stove 7 Never leave the cooking area when the burners are on 8 Never put foil or metal in a microwave oven 9 Clean up as you work 10 If there is an adult standing by to watch the stove set the table while the soup is cooking Setting the Table 1 Place plates or bowls on the table 2 The spoon and knife go on the right with the knife blade facing in 3 The napkin goes on the left with the fork on top of it 4 The glass goes on the right above the spoon and knife 5 Place salt pepper and soy sauce on the table too 6 Flowers and candles are optional but nice xi
