It’s spring time and the means it’s SOUP time! Springtime: (or March really) comes in like a lion and out like a lamb. On those “lion-like” days, what’s better than curling up with a nice n’ hot bowl of soup? One that shows off all of spring’s best flavours of course! These springtime soups are lovely and easy recipes that you can make for a big crowd, or keep in your fridge for when you get too busy with spring cleaning!
1. Veggie Soup With Pearl Couscous & Salmon
Making a light and easy vegetable broth is not only the perfect staple to always keep around, but is the ideal base for many soups. This soup is included in that! Cook up some fennel, garlic, cherry tomatoes and turmeric, to give your broth a little kick, then add some store bought vegetable broth. You could also make your own stock – it depends on you! Make some large pearl couscous to give the soup some carbohydrates, and chef up a little salmon to put into your soup as well. Finally, garnish with olive oil and dill and you’ve got a winning springtime soup!
2. Coconut Curry Noodle Soup
Coconut curry noodle soup is a banging springtime soup, because it can showcase the flavours of springtime, while still being switched up very often. Making a broth with coconut milk and store brought curry will create a rich and creamy soup base, while still allowing for delicate flavours. Cook some rice noodles, mix them with a little sesame oil, and add them to your broth. Garnish your soup with lemon, hot peppers, cucumbers, peanuts, and even some chicken or shrimp if your heart desire! The citrusy, spicy flavours of springtime are alive in this soup!
3. Miso Soup
Miso soup is the perfect soup for just about any season, but this is especially true of springtime! Make your simple miso broth with just boiled water and miso paste, adding dehydrated seaweed to enhance the flavour of your miso. Once you have this, the rest is all up to you! Shiitake mushrooms, tofu, sesame seeds, rice noodles, and of course, scallions, the springtime staple, would give your soup the perfect amount of oomph! Top with sesame oil, sriracha, maybe even a hard boiled egg and enjoy!
4. Green Pea Soup With Mint
Green pea and mint are not only a classic combination, but a classic springtime combination! In this soup, the beauty of these two springtime flavours really comes through! With spring onions, potato and garlic cooked down and added to vegetable stock your soup base will be enriched. Add peas and cook only for a short while, to ensure the fresh flavour of the peas remains. Buttermilk, lemon juice, the mint and a bit of sugar will bring the soup together. Top your soup with a bit of whipping cream and peas, and there you have it – a farm to table, springtime soup!
5. Springtime Fava Bean Pasta e Fagioli
This classic Italian soup is usually made during the winter months, with borlotti or cannellini beans. However, by replacing these with fava beans, a fresh springtime offering, the soup becomes a perfect springtime recipe. After blanching fava beans, cook bacon, carrot, onion, garlic and rosemary until softened and ad your stock. Cook and add a small soup pasta, such as tubetti, into your soup, and you are ready to serve! Garnish with mint (a springtime favourite) and Parmigiano-Reggiano for a delightful springtime soup!
