Comforting Soup for Winter

When it’s cold outside, nothing warms you up quite like a delicious soup. Whether it’s a hearty chowder, a bowl of stew, or a freshly-made bowl of bone broth, soups are a must-have to get you through these winter months.  Especially because they’re a great way to keep you healthy and well!

But before you reach for a shelf-stable can of soup, check out this list of important pantry staples.  We’ve also got a mouth-watering homemade stock recipe for you to make your own delicious goodness all winter long.

Delicious Soup Pantry Must-haves

A hearty soup can be as simple as a clear broth or a creamy blend of leftovers. It’s super easy if you have all the necessary supplies on-hand. Here are our recommended pantry must-haves so you can stir up a steaming bowl of soup at a moment’s notice.

• Full fat stock (If you buy beef or chicken stock, make sure it’s free-range.)
• A couple bags of dried beans – kidney, pinto, or black beans
• Dried herbs (oregano, rosemary, thyme, basil, bay leaves)
• Salt
• Pepper
• Garlic and onions
• White wine (optional)

And for your freezer, you may want to have the following:

• Kale or spinach leaves
• Cubed butternut squash or sweet potatoes
• Trimmings from celery, carrots, onions, or other vegetables
• Your own homemade broth, frozen in small portions

This will keep you prepared for almost any hearty winter soup!

How to Make a Homemade Stock

While you can certainly buy pre-made stock from the grocery store, there’s nothing like making your own. The flavor is richer, deeper, and also tends to have less sodium. Try out this easy recipe and see for yourself:

1. Combine the following into a large pot:
   1. The leftover bones and skin from one large, baked chicken, or from two rotisserie chickens
   2. Celery tops, plus one large celery rib, chopped into 2-inch pieces
   3. One large onion, peeled and quartered (This adds a richer color and flavor to the stock.)
   4. 1 carrot, chopped into 2-inch pieces
   5. One bunch of parsley – stems and all
2. Cover the ingredients with filtered water.
3. Add 1 tsp. Celtic Sea salt and 1/4 tsp. pepper.
4. Bring to a boil. Then, immediately turn down the heat and simmer partially covered for at least 4 hours. Be sure to check on it periodically and skim off any foam that comes to the surface.
5. Now it’s time to strain your stock! You can do this by using a slotted spoon or pouring the stock through a sieve over another pot.

This recipe will keep in your fridge for up to a week!

Warm Up to Winter with Delicious Soup

Soups not only fill your home with delicious aromas, they’ll also fill your belly and nourish your body. Mix up your cooking routine this winter with a cozy, comforting, homemade soup. And while you’re at it, WOW your taste buds by making your own homemade stock. You’ll be amazed at the difference it makes!