A pot of Hoppin’ John, the one-pot dish that is typically prepared with black-eyed peas, a ham hock, and rice, is simmering right next to me as I write the first blog post of the year. I make a pot of this favorite southern soup every year and shake it up a little more each time. This year, I started with our True Foundations® Chicken Base, added leftover kale, a bit of crispy prosciutto, and diced jalapenos for an extra kick, and then served with freshly sliced scallions, fluffy rice, and crusty bread for soaking up the delicious broth. It’s always delicious, fragrant, creamy, filling, and packed with the goodness of simple ingredients.
It’s a tradition in my home, as it is in many others and a great way to kick off a new year with the possibility of good luck. In thinking about it, soup is a tradition, too. Warm, comforting, and often best when made with simple, high-quality ingredients, soup is worth adding to all of our rotations a bit more. Perhaps 2024 is the year for eating more soup. Soup Sunday, perhaps? It sounds like a perfect tradition to share with friends and family, to finish out a relaxing weekend, or to kick off a busy week.
For planning (or for the Sunday ahead), I’ve rounded up my top 5 favorite soups to kick off the year.
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A Chicken Noodle Soup leads the list for the proven healing power as much as the delightful aroma of roasted chicken from our Gold Label Savory Roasted® Chicken Base. Use any noodle and let the nostalgic flavors shine through.
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Chicken Lentil Soup is another favorite and can easily be adjusted to serve vegetarian or vegan guests. In our recipe, we’ve included diced chicken and bacon alongside green and yellow lentils, but brown or red lentils could be added instead. Try our Master's Touch® Vegetable Base to lean into a vegetarian version and load it up with healthy greens, like collard greens or kale, carrots, and tomatoes.
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Hearty Chicken Soup with Ancient Grains offers another smart start to the year with all the elements of a main course option. Barley, farro, and chickpeas all play a starring role, with the bright colors of carrots, celery, parsley and microgreens. Another recipe is ready for your interpretation with quinoa or wheat berries in line for consideration, or shredded pork or tender round steak for the protein swap. A vegetarian option would be just as delicious and just as easy, too. Pair with a dressed salad and feature for lunch or dinner.
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One more favorite is Roasted Butternut Squash Soup in all its creaminess and decadence. Our version features peeled and diced apples for a touch of complexity and fresh sage. You could swap in an alternate winter squash variety, pumpkin puree, or another apple variety to build on this version, too. Nothing is off-limits when creating a new soup.
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In case you are seeking a vegetarian option that’s ready to go, I’d start with a Savory Roasted Vegetable Rice Soup. It has everything you need for a delightful accompaniment to your salads and sandwiches right out of the pot but can easily be bumped to the next level by adding additional greens, ancient grains, or a mixture of the veggies you may have on hand.
Every recipe in this list could be featured as a starter, a main course, or as an accompaniment to any entrée. And we’ve written them knowing you may add your signature touches. Serve a few or serve a crowd, and let us know if you have favorites of your own. Happy soup making (and Happy New Year)!
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