When the days start getting shorter, the jumpers come out of hiding and the leaves crunch under your boots there’s only one thing that makes autumn evenings feel complete: a big comforting bowl of soup! What’s not to love? It’s warm, it’s filling, basically a hug in a bowl and if you play your cards right you can have it ready in under half an hour. Here are some of the best recipes which I have found!
You can’t go wrong with a classic. Grab some tinned tomatoes, garlic, onion and a good handful of fresh or even dried basil. Saute your onion and garlic, chuck in the tomatoes, add a splash of stock, season and let it simmer. Blend it all up and swirl in a little cream if you’re feeling fancy. Bonus points if you serve with crusty bread for dunking.
This one’s autumn in a bowl. Sweet potato gives you that creamy, filling vibe and roasted red peppers add a lovely smoky sweetness. Cook the sweet potato chunks in some stock, toss in the peppers, blitz and you’ve got soup that looks like liquid sunshine.
For those days you need something hearty, lentil soup has your back. Red lentils are brilliant because they cook quickly. Fry up some onion, garlic and ginger with a sprinkle of cumin and turmeric, add the lentils and stock and let it bubble away. In 20 minutes you’ll have a thick, protein packed soup that warms you from the inside out.
A true British favourite and so easy to whip up. Carrots cook quickly so this one is speedy. Soften some onion and garlic, add chopped carrots and stock, let it simmer, then blitz with fresh coriander. It’s light, fragrant and perfect when you want something a little less heavy but still warming.
Broccoli soup doesn’t sound thrilling but throw in some Stilton and suddenly you’re Michelin star material. Steam or boil the broccoli until tender, blend with stock and stir in crumbled Stilton until melted. It’s rich, creamy and tastes way more indulgent than the 20 minutes it took to make.
If you’re after a soup that’s basically a meal in itself, minestrone is your best friend. Fry some onion, garlic and celery, add tinned tomatoes and stock, then toss in pasta, beans and whatever veg you’ve got lying around. It’s hearty, chunky and the kind of soup that makes you feel smug about clearing out the veg drawer.
Autumn and mushrooms are a match made in heaven. Fry up mushrooms, garlic, and onion in a bit of butter, add stock, and simmer for ten minutes. Blend until silky, then swirl in cream or crème fraîche. It’s earthy, rich and tastes like something you’d order at a cosy countryside pub.
This soup is creamy, comforting, and packed with sweetcorn flavour, balanced with tender veggies and a hint of fresh herbs. Start by softening potato, carrot and onion then add garlic and chicken stock for a rich base, add the corn and blitz until smooth.
This is one of those soups that always feels soothing, like the soup equivalent of your nan’s blanket. Cook sliced leeks and diced potatoes in a little butter, add stock, simmer, then blitz. Simple, comforting and done in under half an hour.
This is one of my favourites to make! Chop an onion and fry it in butter, then add chopped potatoes and 1 litre of ham stock. Simmer until the potatoes soften, throw in a bag of frozen peas, boil for 5 minutes, then blend until smooth. Stir in chopped ham (saving some for serving) and enjoy with fresh bread. The whole thing takes about 30 minutes start to finish.
Tips for speedy soups!
Chop small: The smaller you chop your veg, the quicker it cooks.
Pre-chopped shortcuts: Frozen chopped onion, garlic paste, and bags of ready cut squash or carrots are lifesavers.
Stick blender magic: A hand blender means you can whizz soup right in the pan with fewer dishes and faster soup.
Season well: Salt, pepper and a sprinkle of herbs or spices can take soup from meh to marvellous.
Do you make your own soup? What is your favourite?
Some great ideas, thank you! I love making soup at this time of year, I don't usually follow a recipe as I just put in whatever I find in the cupboard so I could definitely do with some recipes to follow for some inspiration!
ReplyDeleteThese recipes look good! I do make soups in the fall, winter and spring. I tend to make hearty soups- more like stews. My guys are into protein so I make a lot of soup with beef in them. Thanks for sharing your recipes :).
ReplyDeleteThat carrot soup is calling my name...nice list.
ReplyDelete