Happy February! A winter Wednesday post might be better tomorrow for Groundhog day. However, I’m sticking with today in case the little rodent sees his shadow.
Shadow equals six more weeks of winter. No shadow predicts early spring. Farmer’s Almanac daily newsletter says spring is 46 days away no matter what happens tomorrow.
What does any of that have to do with soup? Nothing. I do start each winter Wednesday post with the weather though. And our weather is better than a lot of those to the south of us.
Today’s Weather:
It’s currently sunny and 10 degrees with a windchill/feels like temperature of 1 degree out there. Honestly, didn’t think it felt that bad when I ran J to school earlier. By 3pm, it’s supposed to be 37 degrees.
Now Let’s Talk About Soup:
Sometimes, especially in the winter, I crave vegetables! More often than I should admit, this craving usually manifests in a strong desire for a spring roll from Panda Express. It’s a mixed blessing living in an urban area where grocery stores and restaurants are so readily available.
However, sometimes only soup will do. When I’m craving comfort soup loaded with vegetables, my favorite choice is minestrone. It’s such an adaptable soup. I use this recipe for my base. It comes together quick. This time I added in some zucchini. Whatever vegetables I have on hand typically get tossed into the soup.
Look at those vegetables! 
This soup is a good one in the late summer/early fall with fresh vegetables and herbs from the garden as well.
Of course, I don’t get to make it very often as the picky family is not as fond. G flat out is not a fan of soup. He tolerates this because it has pasta but he’d never choose it. My husband adds hamburger to his portion which is okay but ruins the idea of a fresh vegetable based soup in my mind. J and I both like it though it’s not his favorite. (He’s more a chicken noodle or potato soup kind of person).
Winter Dinners
There is definitely a comfort in winter soups and dinners not to be found during the spring/summer months. My mom always made chili in the heat of summer (100 degrees, I know let’s have chili for dinner!) and I never understood.
Summer is for lighter fare.
Of course, I must confess that yesterday I stood outside in 25 degree weather and grilled pork chops so I guess I shouldn’t talk.
Anyway, I do find soup something to enjoy about winter. Minestrone, taco, chicken noodle, and potato are among my favorites. And of course, you definitely need some sort of crusty bread with the minestrone and potato soups!
What is your favorite winter meal?
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Day 32/365
I’m with you Jean! I love soup! And I crave veggies like that too. I think I often crave some of that because it’s harder to find good fresh stuff like you can get in the summer. I’m so grateful Matt loves soup too…even more than I do I think. Lol My ex only liked really creamy fattening soups…otherwise he didn’t like them. But Matt and I love all kinds. My favorite is when I make homemade turkey broth at Thanksgiving and use that and leftover good turkey for turkey noodle soup. There’s something about that flavor that’s even yummier than homemade chicken noodle to me.
I also love slow cooker ham and scalloped potatoes. One of my absolute faves I make in winter! Pot roast too. But I make the ham and scalloped more keto (& healthier overall) by only doing 1/2 potatoes and 1/2 cauliflower. 😋
Stay cozy dear Friend and slurp away! xoxo
Oh, I bet that is right about the craving the veggies. Probably why I always order twice as many vegetable seeds as actually fit in our garden as well 😉 Ham and scalloped potatoes sounds so good. Not sure about the cauliflower but I’d try it. Hope you have a great weekend (Thursday afternoon is close enough isn’t it?)
Your soup looks really good. I prefer meat soup, but I also eat vegetable soup on fasting days.
Thank you! You’d get along with my husband, he likes meat in soup as well.
Soup is definitely a winter meal, as is chili. Tonight I’m making pot pie which I also consider a winter meal. My favorites are probably potato soup, green enchilada soup, pot roast and chili.
I consider pot pie a winter meal also. Wish my family was more of a fan of those. Enchilada soup is another favorite of mine!
Ha ha, I make soups year-round! I am pretty soup-obsessed and I just made chicken soup today, actually! Your vegetable soup looks delicious!
They have soup year-round at the preschool where I work. For me though, it just says winter mostly. I guess with a few exceptions, chicken noodle and tomato, good anytime. Ha.
Oh YUMMY! That soup looks delicious. January and February are always my go to soup and chili months. I don’t particularly care what the ground hog says! 😀
I hear he didn’t say nice things this morning 😉
I looooove soup but have never made homemade. Hubby prefers a thick stew or chili though. Hmm, maybe I can sway him with some homemade varieties….? Hmmm.
I certainly have canned soups in my pantry but some soups definitely taste so much better homemade.
Hello! That pot of soup looks delicious! We are soup lovers here. Cheese Broccoli, Chicken noodle, and cabbage are favorites. I hope you have a great day!
I do like broccoli and cheese soup but have never managed that one from scratch (my husband isn’t a cheese fan). Hope you are having a wonderful Thursday!