Hello Foodie Friends. Hearty foods are typical this time of year. Winter vegetable soups can satisfy our soul and provide a way to fulfill large and small appetites. Soup can also be a comfort food.  This time of year we tend to gravitate towards soups made with bold and deep flavors that include carrots, acorn, butternut squashes, sweet potatoes, parsnips, beets, and mushrooms. Winter temperatures call out for the stick-to-the-rib soups. The base of these soups begins with onions, garlic, olive oil or bacon fat, and your selected vegetable, then sautéing them over low heat.  Once the vegetables are tender, add a vegetarian or meat stock and simmer.  The final step would be to puree or blend the soup to make it smooth and silky. Adding coconut milk, heavy cream, sour cream, half and half, or whole milk adds to the rich texture in the soup.  Adding a spice such as curry, orange juice, or maple syrup can elevate the taste of your soup. Toppings in a soup add an extra element of flavor and texture.  Adding grated parmesan cheese, broken breadsticks, nuts, chow mein noodles, crushed tortilla, or nacho chips can fit nicely in a soup spoon. 

One important tool needed for smoothing out your soup is either a blender or an immersion blender. If you want to get creative in the kitchen, add a machine that can help you transform whole ingredients into sauces, soups, and chopped bits. Here’s the difference between blenders and immersion blenders so you can decide which works best for you.

You should stick with a countertop blender if you mainly make smoothies, blended cocktails, soups and emulsified condiments like mayo. If you want go ahead and spring for a higher end blender (Vitamix) to be able to make your own nut butters and whipped cream.

If you really only need a blender for pureeing soups or other liquids (like applesauce or baby food), buy an immersion blender. You’ll save on storage space and be able to blend batches right in the pot. Many immersion blenders also have attachments you can buy for things like whipping cream or chopping herbs.

At Compliments to the Chef located at 33 Railroad Place in Saratoga Springs, we carry immersion blenders to assist you with your culinary needs. We have “cool” Tools for Cooks.  Help out your “smooth operator” by having the right tools for amazing and fulfilling soups. Having a hearty soup on a weekend night can be a wonderful way to share time with your family and friends. Have a “soup and story” night at the dinner table!  Remember my Foodie Friends, no slurping and  “Life Happens in the Kitchen.”

      Take Care, 
          John and Paula