3 Soup Recipes You Must Try For A Comfort Meal In Winter

Winters are all about snuggling in the blanket and enjoying warm meals. What sets the mood in the chilly weather more than a bowl of hot and creamy soup? In this article, we bring you quick and healthy recipes inspired by bloggers around the globe to help you prepare a comfort meal that you can enjoy at any time of the day.

How To Make Pumpkin Soup

Winter is incomplete without a bowl of nourishing pumpkin soup. It is healthy, creamy, and flavourful. The recipe is quick for nights when you have unannounced guests knocking on your door. Its sweet, tangy, spicy, and earthy notes will leave you wanting more.

Ingredients For Pumpkin Soup

• 1 bowl of diced pumpkin
• 1.5 cups of water
• 2-3 cloves of garlic
• 1-inch ginger
• Salt to taste
• 1 teaspoon of cumin powder
• 1 teaspoon red chilli powder
• 2-3 teaspoons of olive oil
• 1 medium chopped onion
• 1 tablespoon of chopped coriander leaves
• 1 teaspoon of black pepper powder

Method To Make Pumpkin Soup

• Add water to the pan and bring it to a boil.
• Add salt to taste, diced pumpkin, cloves of garlic and ginger. Cover the lid of the pan to ensure everything is cooked, or use a pressure cooker and cook until you hear two whistles.
• Once the ingredients turn soft, let them cool, and blend everything into a bowl of puree. You can also use a hand blender for this purpose. 
• Heat a pan and add olive oil to it. 
• Add cumin powder and pour the puree from the blender into the pan. 
• Let everything simmer for 10 minutes or until the consistency is a little thick.
• Add black pepper powder and red chilli powder (optional) to the mixture, and let the aroma spread around the kitchen.
• Once you are happy with the consistency of the soup, add fresh coriander leaves, and savour the dish with soup sticks or bread croutons.

How To Make Black Bean Soup

Black bean soup is flavoured with fresh ingredients and perfect for a lazy winter evening. It is packed with protein and other essential nutrients that your body needs. A comforting bowl of this soup is what you need after a hectic day at work.

Ingredients For Black Bean Soup

• 1 cup of overnight soaked and boiled black beans (rajma)
• 1/2 cup of diced carrot
• 1 medium chopped onion
• 1/2 cup of finely chopped bell peppers
• 1 tablespoon of finely chopped coriander leaves
• 1 teaspoon of cumin seeds
• 1 teaspoon of black pepper powder
• 1 tablespoon of oil
• 1 teaspoon of red chilli powder
• Salt to taste
• 1.5 cups of water
• 1 tablespoon of butter

Method To Prepare Black Bean Soup

• To a hot deep pan, add oil and cumin seeds.
• Once the seeds crackle, pour boiled black beans, water, carrot, and onion so that their flavours combine.
• Allow it all to simmer for 10 minutes, and add salt to taste.
• Mash some vegetables and black beans using a masher because it will help to thicken the consistency.
• Add a big slice of butter on the top and garnish with fresh coriander seeds.
• You can enjoy this soup with some chips.

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How To Make Mushroom Soup

Mushrooms are rich in vitamins B and B12, copper, potassium, selenium, zinc, phosphorus, and manganese among other essential nutrients. Their anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidants are good for the skin.

Ingredients For Mushroom Soup

• 1 cup of sliced button mushrooms
• 2-3 minced cloves of garlic
• 2 tablespoons of butter
• 1 small chopped onion
• 1 teaspoon of black pepper powder
• 1 cup of water
• 1 tablespoon of all-purpose flour (maida)
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 cup of milk
• Salt to taste
• 4-6 tablespoons of cream
• 1 tablespoon of chopped green coriander leaves

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Method To Make Mushroom Soup

• In a hot pan, add butter and allow it to melt.
• Add bay leaf and stir it a couple of times.
• Add garlic and onion, and let the ingredients cook until the ingredients soften and release their aroma into the pan.
• Add mushrooms and cover the lid for 5-8 minutes. You will notice mushrooms will release water.
• Sauté until the water has evaporated, and add maida to the mix.
• After 3-5 minutes, add pepper powder, water, and milk.
• Keep stirring the mixture for a couple of minutes and add salt to taste.
• Once the liquid starts to boil, you will witness its consistency getting thicker.
• You should keep stirring the mixture to prevent the ingredients from sticking to the surface.
• Depending on how much cream you want, you can add dairy cream to the mix and stir everything together. 
• Add coriander leaves, switch off the flame, and enjoy your creamy bowl of mushroom soup.

Try the above three recipes this winter season, when you are not in the mood to cook anything but still want to enjoy a comfortable meal.