Buttermilk veggie soup
January is such a long month. Snow is constantly falling from the sky, it’s cold and crunchy outside, and hot, dry, and stuffy, inside, and I have a slight case of the sniffles…nothing big, but really, I’m sure I’ll feel much better if I just sleep through the rest of the month. I’ve been serving the men Chicago-style Italian beef sandwiches in honor of GH’s birthday but I’ve been eating soup or falafel. Yes, I still have at least one falafel a week and frankly I may have another tomorrow.
This soup is creamy and lush with a fresh grating of nutmeg on top. But instead of using cream or 1/2 & 1/2 I went zippy and used buttermilk and it is perfect. No annoying perclampsia in the back of the throat from too much cream (you know what I mean, right?) and a light, tart, zing that lifts it above the ho-hums of a cold January. The green vegetables came from the hoarding I did over the summer. The green beans, celery, and zucchini did freeze up fabulously without any blanching and cooked up superbly. The carrots and potatoes are just about the last of the fresh local produce, but they too add their part. There’s also a carton of chicken stock, an onion, and some Penzeys Parisien Bonnes Herbes (a blend of chives, dill weed, French basil, French tarragon, chervil and white pepper). Quick and easy couldn’t be more welcome right now…that way it doesn’t interfere with serious activities…like sleep.
What do you crave during this cold, long, dark month?
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12 Responses to “Buttermilk veggie soup”
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A marvelous, geeky soup! I could use a bowl of this about now.
I also grate potato to thicken soups, works well.
Yum!
at least you guys have snow - it’s only been rain rain rain so far in London. The cold months make me crave tom yum goong, and also Chinese beef and turnip stew, as well as curries…
Hot chocolate, that’s what I crave. With nothing less than whole milk, p’shaw. Preferably half-and-half and sometimes even some cream. Or Mexican hot chocolate, I like that as well. Very rich, very spicy, very tasty.
Peter, that’s a good idea.
L, I love spicy things when it’s cold out too.
Crys, hot chocolate should be half-and-half and chocolate melted together…now I want some too!
January is National Soup Month! Black Bean soup with cornbread:) Hot chocolate before bed…
Althought soup is nice, it’s pasta that I crave!
I am craving soup too just now! soup, soup soup! I am actually, completely sick of my spicy butternut soup, because I made it too much, so i will give it a break until next year. I have moved on to charred tomato soup and chunky vegetable soup (no cream though).
Sounds really tasty! You should submit that to our Hearty Soup Contest that ends next week!
Vanessa, this sounds just right for the cold weather headed my way here in Chicago. And the buttermilk is a nice, zippy touch. I often use buttermilk in mashed potatoes; not only does it give them a nice, subtle tang, it seems to cut down on the amount of salt and butter needed to achieve real flavorfulness.
Soup, soup, and more soup. It is a staple here in the midwest during the winter months. My favorites are Minestre, from Rachel Ray, creamy tomato, from Americas Test Kitchen cookbook, and Spinach soup from FarmgirlFare blog. I had the spinach soup this morning for breakfast!
Vanessa, This soup looks amazing.
on another note, I tried to email you from the web form, but it keeps telling me my email is invalid? Is there a better way to get in touch?
Thanks!
JEP, I love black bean soup. I use the recipe from the Greens Cookbook…hot chocolate is a must.
Brilynn, I know, it’s a toss up for me…pasta or soup…how about both?
Holler, I did the same thing last fall. I made a huge batch of spicy squash soup, then I got sick of it and froze about 3 quarts. At least it freezes well. I’ve never made a creamy veg soup before either. Charred tomatoe sounds good.
Hillary, if I only had the time. Thanks for the comment.
Terry B, buttermilk is a highly undervalued ingredient. I love celery soup made with 1/3 cream, 1/3 buttermilk, and 1/3 chicken stock.
farmgirlcyn, I love creamy tomato served with garlic bread.
Sarika, thanks. I sent you an email.