Philly's Winter Blues: 3 Hearty Soups to Warm Your Cockles
When the polar vortex descends upon the City of Brotherly Love, all that's left is a desire for something warm, comforting, and – most importantly – delicious. To help alleviate the symptoms of cabin fever, I consulted with my colleagues about their go-to winter soup recipes. The result? Three mouth-watering, nutritious options that won't break the bank.
First up: Lentil Soup, a staple of any self-respecting office kitchen. This recipe is courtesy of our resident culinary expert, who insists on whipping up tasty leftovers at the crack of dawn. It's easy to see why – with just 6 cups of vegetable broth and a can of fire-roasted diced tomatoes, this soup comes together in under an hour.
The star of the show is, of course, the humble lentil. Green, French or brown, it makes no difference: these tiny legumes are packed with protein, fiber, and all sorts of good stuff that'll keep you going until spring arrives. Saute some onions, carrots, celery, and kale (because who doesn't love a bit of bitterness to balance out the sweetness?), then add in your lentils, garlic, cumin, and a can of tomatoes. Let it simmer for 25-30 minutes and voila! You've got a soup that's as nutritious as it is delicious.
Next up: Borscht, the infamous Ukrainian beet soup that's making waves on the culinary scene. Don't be put off by its unassuming appearance – this soup packs more flavor than you'd think possible, thanks to the subtle sweetness of the beets and the tang of white vinegar.
To make it, start by grating 3 medium beets (yes, they're a key ingredient) and sauteing them in olive oil until softened. Then add in some sliced potatoes, carrots, onions, celery, and – because we're feeling fancy – a dollop of dill. It all comes together in under an hour, with just a hint of spice from the red pepper flakes.
Last but certainly not least: Pasta e Fagioli, a hearty Italian soup that's perfect for cold winter days spent huddled around the office computer. This recipe is adapted from The Joy of Cooking (because who doesn't love a good cookbook?), and features cannellini beans, ditalini pasta, and – because we're feeling generous – some pre-cooked chicken for added protein.
To make it, heat up some olive oil in a large pot and saute the onions, carrots, celery, and garlic until softened. Then add in diced tomatoes, chicken broth, and a can of beans (don't skip this step – they're what make the soup truly delicious). Let it simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, then add in some pasta and finish with grated Parmesan cheese.
So there you have it: three winter soups that'll keep your spirits up (and your belly full) until the sun comes out again. Whether you're braving the polar vortex or just need a pick-me-up on a chilly day, these recipes are sure to hit the spot.
When the polar vortex descends upon the City of Brotherly Love, all that's left is a desire for something warm, comforting, and – most importantly – delicious. To help alleviate the symptoms of cabin fever, I consulted with my colleagues about their go-to winter soup recipes. The result? Three mouth-watering, nutritious options that won't break the bank.
First up: Lentil Soup, a staple of any self-respecting office kitchen. This recipe is courtesy of our resident culinary expert, who insists on whipping up tasty leftovers at the crack of dawn. It's easy to see why – with just 6 cups of vegetable broth and a can of fire-roasted diced tomatoes, this soup comes together in under an hour.
The star of the show is, of course, the humble lentil. Green, French or brown, it makes no difference: these tiny legumes are packed with protein, fiber, and all sorts of good stuff that'll keep you going until spring arrives. Saute some onions, carrots, celery, and kale (because who doesn't love a bit of bitterness to balance out the sweetness?), then add in your lentils, garlic, cumin, and a can of tomatoes. Let it simmer for 25-30 minutes and voila! You've got a soup that's as nutritious as it is delicious.
Next up: Borscht, the infamous Ukrainian beet soup that's making waves on the culinary scene. Don't be put off by its unassuming appearance – this soup packs more flavor than you'd think possible, thanks to the subtle sweetness of the beets and the tang of white vinegar.
To make it, start by grating 3 medium beets (yes, they're a key ingredient) and sauteing them in olive oil until softened. Then add in some sliced potatoes, carrots, onions, celery, and – because we're feeling fancy – a dollop of dill. It all comes together in under an hour, with just a hint of spice from the red pepper flakes.
Last but certainly not least: Pasta e Fagioli, a hearty Italian soup that's perfect for cold winter days spent huddled around the office computer. This recipe is adapted from The Joy of Cooking (because who doesn't love a good cookbook?), and features cannellini beans, ditalini pasta, and – because we're feeling generous – some pre-cooked chicken for added protein.
To make it, heat up some olive oil in a large pot and saute the onions, carrots, celery, and garlic until softened. Then add in diced tomatoes, chicken broth, and a can of beans (don't skip this step – they're what make the soup truly delicious). Let it simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, then add in some pasta and finish with grated Parmesan cheese.
So there you have it: three winter soups that'll keep your spirits up (and your belly full) until the sun comes out again. Whether you're braving the polar vortex or just need a pick-me-up on a chilly day, these recipes are sure to hit the spot.
Give me a hot and spicy taco any day over some boring old lentil soup. And don't even get me started on borscht, it's like eating beets for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. 
Those Ukrainian people must have really hated their lives to come up with that recipe. On the other hand, pasta e fagioli is probably just a fancy name for "beans and noodles" – so basic. 
it's like the whole city is one big cabin fever patient. You know what would hit the spot though? Some seriously good soup 
especially if we're talking hearty lentil or pasta e fagioli kinda stuff. But have you noticed how all these winter recipes are just so... comforting and cozy? It's like our collective psyche is trying to tell us something - maybe it's time to slow down, grab a warm bowl of goodness, and just enjoy the quiet of winter for once 
And have you ever noticed that Borscht is like a party in your mouth - those beets add such depth of flavor! 
But honestly, Pasta e Fagioli is my jam right now... there's something about the combination of cannellini beans and pasta just hits the spot on a cold day 
. Maybe I'm just a soup snob, but these recipes are giving me life 
️
is like music to my ears! I mean, who doesn't love a good bowl of Lentil Soup? 
My grandma used to make it for me all the time when I was growing up and it always hit the spot. And don't even get me started on Borscht, that's one of my favorite soups ever! 
The way the beets add this sweet and earthy flavor is just magic. And Pasta e Fagioli? Perfect comfort food after a long day at work 
. I love how these recipes are easy to make and won't break the bank, too. You can't go wrong with a good old-fashioned soup and some crusty bread 
. Give me all three of these soups in my belly right now and I'm set for the winter blues 
!
I mean, have you ever stopped to think about why we crave comfort food so much during the winter months? Is it because our bodies are literally cold from the inside out, or is there something more profound going on? Maybe it's just a reflection of our inner selves – we're craving that warmth and nourishment that only comes from slow-cooked goodness. Lentils, beets, and cannellini beans... they're not just ingredients, they're symbols of resilience and sustenance. And those soups, they're like big ol' hugs in a bowl – warming our cockles on the coldest days. 
anyway, lentil soup is a staple for a reason - it's like the office's secret sauce 
. borscht is next on my list, those beets better not be too bitter 
. and pasta e fagioli... more carbs = happy belly 
... I was flying over the city with my cat, Mr. Whiskers, and we were chasing after a giant bowl of ramen noodles 
. I mean, what's up with that? Anyway, back to the soup topic... have you ever tried making your own pasta from scratch? It's like, super easy once you get the hang of it 
and i'm so over it 
. my colleagues swear by this one and i can see why: it's so easy to make and packed with good stuff 
. beets might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think 'warm and comforting', but trust me, these babies bring the flavor 
. I mean, it's fine and all, but it's just boiled veggies and stuff in a pot. Don't get me wrong, lentils are okay, but they're so... predictable 
. And don't even get me started on the whole "beets are good for you" thing 
. Can we please just have some decent, plain old chicken noodle soup instead? It's like the only one that doesn't require a PhD in culinary arts to make 
.