It’s the perfect weather to tuck into some heartwarming winter soups!
Wrap your hands around a warm bowl and dip some buttered, crusty fresh bread into these delicious winter soups.
Simple to make and nourishing for the soul, these recipes will become staple winter favourites after just one slurp!
Read more here about how sustenance supports you living your best life!
Spicy Chorizo and Potato Chowder
This delightfully warming and hearty soup will nourish you through these cold winter nights. Simple to prepare and deliciously enjoyed with crusty buttered baguette, this one is worth a little effort in the kitchen!
Soup Ingredients
1 – 2 chorizo sausage (Mexican is best as you can crumble it but I you can’t source, the Spanish is fine, just dice small)
1 large chopped onion
1 1/2 cups chicken stock
4 cups diced potatoes (skin on if your prefer it like that)
1 can cream of chicken soup
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or 2 teaspoons dried parsley
1 package Boursin cheese with herbs and garlic
1 1/2 cups corn kernels, fresh, frozen, or canned and drained
Salt, to taste
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
What are the best potatoes for chowder?
The naturally occurring starch in potatoes helps to thicken soups and chowders, so choosing a variety with a high starch content is ideal.
Instructions
Step 1
Gather the ingredients and be sure to give any fresh produce a thorough wash.
Step 2
Remove the sausage casings and crumble the sausage into a large pot over medium heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring frequently, until the onions are lightly browned and the sausage is no longer pink
Step 3
Add in the chicken broth, diced potatoes, a little salt and pepper to taste and bring to boil. Then lower heat and gently boil until the potatoes are cooked and soft.
Step 4
Add cream of chicken soup, parsley, and Boursin or cream cheese, blending the ingredients well and being sure the Boursin is completely melted through. Stir in the corn.
Step 5
Allow the corn to cook or heat as necessary, stirring occasionally.
And… ENJOY!
Potato & Leek Soup
I love the subtle flavours of the leek combined with the creamy potato, one of my absolute favorites’ for a winter warmer and so simple to make.
Try out the additions of crispy bacon (added after the processing) for something a little different!
Soup Ingredients
60ml Olive Oil
1 brown onion, halved, chopped
1 garlic clove, crushed
4 medium (about 700g) potatoes, peeled, cut into 2cm cubes
2 leeks, pale section only, washed, dried, thinly sliced
1.25L (5 cups) vegetable liquid stock
125ml (1/2 cup) thickened cream
Instructions
Step 1
Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook, stirring, for 3 minutes or until the onion softens. Add the potato and leek and cook, stirring, for 5 minutes or until leek softens.
(You can also add a little garlic if you like, but be careful not to overpower the subtle flavours of the superstar here – the leek)
Step 2
Add the stock and bring to the boil. Reduce heat to medium and boil gently, uncovered, for 20 minutes or until potato is cooked through and soft, it should squish will a gentle press form a fork.
Remove from heat and set aside for 10 minutes to cool.
Step 3
Transfer one-third of the potato mixture to the jug of a blender and blend until smooth. Transfer to a clean saucepan. Repeat in 2 more batches with the remaining potato mixture.
Alternatively, use a stick blender to blend in the saucepan – I find this the simplest way, no mess and less dishes!
Step 4
Place the soup over medium heat. Add the cream and stir to combine. Cook, stirring, for 5 minutes or until hot. Taste and season with a little salt and white pepper to taste.
Step 5
Ladle the soup among serving bowls. Top with croutons, chives, a drizzle of olive oil and serve immediately.
Another great tip – dice up 2-3 rashers of bacon and fry separately in a little oil and butter combined. Once cooked and crispy, set aside to drain on some paper towel and add to your soup AFTER blending.
Pumpkin Soup
Another simple and classic dish that showcases the fine flavours of pumpkin with just a touch of creamy goodness to soothe your soul on chilly winter nights.
Soup Ingredients
1.2 kg pumpkin – I do prefer to use butternut for soup, but totally up to your taste
1 onion, dice
2 garlic cloves, peeled and whole
3 cups vegetable or chicken stock
1 cup water
Salt and pepper
1/2 – 3/4 cup cream
Instructions
Step 1
Cut the pumpkin into 3cm / 2.25″ slices. Cut the skin off and scrape seeds out (video is helpful). Cut into 4cm / 1.5″ chunks.
Step 2
Place the pumpkin, onion, garlic, broth and water in a pot – liquid won’t quite cover all the pumpkin. Bring to a boil, uncovered, then reduce heat and let simmer rapidly until pumpkin is tender (check with butter knife) – about 10 minutes.
Step 3
Remove from heat and use a stick blender to blend until smooth
Step 4
Season to taste with salt and pepper, stir through cream (never boil soup after adding cream, cream will split).
Step 5
Ladle soup into bowls, drizzle over a bit of cream, sprinkle with pepper and parsley if desired. Serve with crusty bread!
Want to walk on the wild side?
Jazz up your regular pumpkin soup with some unique twists and flavours!
Turmeric – 1 1/2 tsp each ground turmeric, coriander and 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper for a quick and super flavoursome change.
Thai red curry – Fry off 2 tbsp red curry paste in 1/2 tbsp oil over medium heat. Cook for 2 minutes until those wonderful fragrances really sing, then carry on with the regular recipe above – add liquids and pumpkin etc. Instead of using regular cream, use coconut cream.
Garnish with coriander (if you aren’t a hater that is!)
Curried pumpkin soup – stir in a touch of curry powder once you have pureed the soup. Warm and delicious!
Ginger– Add a little ginger zing to your pumpkin soup – sauté 1 tbsp finely chopped ginger in 1/2 tbsp oil or butter before you follow the steps for the regular recipe.
Lightly Spiced – spice up your life with some simple yet delicious additions – stir in 1/2 tsp each cumin, coriander and smoked paprika after processed your soup and give it a good mix in.