Soups & Stews

GOOD HEAVENS, IT'S COLD, even down here in South Carolina, where I live with my exceptionally sweet partner and spouse, Dewey. We went from temperatures in the low 70s to the 50s. Tonight we bring in Dewey's lemon tree--it's going below freezing out there, folks. Brrrrrrr! Time for hearty and comforting soups and stews. 

Don't be afraid. If you're familiar with the slow-simmering versions of your grandmother's or great-grandmother's recipes, stop and take a deep breath. Most of these recipes are ready in 45 to 60 minutes. One of these recipes comes together in about 30 minutes, and one uses good frozen seafood found in most grocery stores.

I have curated my best soup and stew recipes. Read on for quick links to posts and recipes. You're welcome!

My ever-so easy beef & vegetable soup that uses up bits and pieces of vegetables and all manner of frozen vegetables from your freezer. I keep frozen mixed veggies, cut okra, chopped onions and peppers for those times that I don't have time or I don't have fresh onions and peppers.

My mother's Greek lentil soup comes together pretty quickly. It's meatless and vegan, but it's very "meaty" tasting. I always have lentils in my pantry. This soup is also filled with nostalgia and memories of my mother, Demetra, cooking for us in our immigrant kitchen in Australia.

A simplified version of the traditional Greek Avgolemono soup. This uses meatballs that you've made ahead and frozen or a pre-cooked roasted chicken. Instead of waiting on rice to cook, I add canned artichoke hearts to provide substance. You could try riced cauliflower instead.

Grocery Store Bouillabaisse comes together using frozen and fresh ingredients found in most grocery stores. I also provide ways to improvise. This is definitely a stew.

Freekeh, an ancient grain with a story, and pumpkin come together as an autumnal feast in a bowl.

Last of the Vegetables Soup comes together in about 30 minutes. Really! If you're SO hungry, this might be the way to go.

Cauliflower & Sweet Potato Soup is creamy and can be dressed with my black bean salad.

Most of my soup recipes seem to live on that fine line between soup and stew. My next link takes you to a brothy soup that begins with cooking a whole chicken to make stock. It's still a simple method, but it takes a little time. Good for a Friday night or Saturday supper with your favorite grilled cheese sandwich.

Make your own stock chicken soup is easier than you're imagining. It's also a favorite in my family, and my stepchildren request this recipe more than any other.

Naked Dumpling Soup is perfect for those of us on a low-carb eating regimen who love Chinese dumplings. The best part of those wonderful dumplings is in the filling, so why even bother with the dough?

My Faux Pho is a classic Vietnamese dish (or bowl) that I've transported to Mexico. It's not traditional, nor is it Mexican or Vietnamese, but it is absolutely delicious and so, so satisfying, especially if slurped. Curious? Of course, you are!

My 65th Birthday Chicken & Sausage Stew can be prepared ahead and reheated 30 minutes before serving time. This will feed a lot (a big ole' bunch) of people--30 or more. All you need is good bread and good butter on the side. You'll need two large pots for this one, or you can just cut the recipe in half or even quarter it.

Black-Eyed Pea Stew. Greek by tradition and American by adoption. Typically a traditional Greek soup, this is a fabulous vegan bean stew. You could also toss in about two cups of finely sliced collard leaves (no stems) to give it a nutrition boost. If you're not on a vegan diet and you have leftover Boston butt hanging out in your refrigerator, dice it up and get it into the stew for added yummmm.

Jerry Douglas Chicken & Kale Stew. Yes, the Dobro-playing, Union Station band member. That Jerry Douglas Back in 2013--way back--I saw Jerry Douglas live in a small venue (Horizon Records) in Greenville, South Carolina. On the way home, I shopped at my favorite grocery store and was so inspired by Douglas' performance (and the cold weather) that I came up with this stew recipe while picking up the ingredients.

Greek Beef & Green Bean Stew. A very hearty stew that feels like a beef crockpot stew with a side of the best green beans you've ever had. This will serve six hungry people. Add a few fingerling potatoes to this recipe, and it will feed eight or more!

Bean & Root Vegetable Stew is a recipe that came together when I was presented with a basket of ingredients.