From James's kitchen
Tested, annotated, and worth returning to. Browse dependable recipes for everyday cooking, relaxed weekends, and occasions worth sharing.
Soups · 19 recipes
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01This surprisingly delicious chicken soup is quick to prepare and requires only a handful of readily available ingredients. I store it I the freezer in individual serving size containers, and just grab on when I need a fast bite.
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02This surprisingly easy soup from Cook’s Country magazine is streamlined by using a store-bought rotisserie chicken and it delivers all the comfort and flavor one expects from homemade chicken soup. The addition of ginger gives the broth a delicious boost wi…
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03Scaled down recipes can be very handy, especially for dishes that taste best the day they are made. If you’re looking for something easy, comforting and delicious, this chicken and dumplings recipe is one of the best. *Note: Make the dumplings just before a…
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04You don’t have to be Irish to enjoy this hearty beef stew. Perfect to serve on St Patrick’s Day with some homemade biscuits, or better yet, thick slices of Soda Bread. This recipe from Cook’s Country uses Guinness Draught beer to enhance the beef flavors an…
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05I love hearty spicy chili, especially during the winter months. This one is quick to make with just basic ingredients and guaranteed to warm you up on a cold day. The variety of beans – red kidney, black and pinto – gives the chili a nice “meaty” quality. I…
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06This is a simple, hearty, delicious vegetable soup. Reminiscent of a Tuscan bean soup, it’s packed with flavor and incredibly satisfying. To keep it vegetarian, just omit the pancetta, and use vegetable stock. I like to stir in a little brown rice into the…
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07Although New England Clam Chowder (the white creamy version) is probably more popular, Manhattan Clam chowder is equally delicious. More like an Italian soup, this tomato based clam chowder makes a great winter dish. Traditional recipes often require cookin…
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08Chicken Tortilla Soup is a great choice during the winter months – hearty and packed with flavor with just enough heat to warm you on the coldest days. Using a store bought rotisserie chicken makes it quick to make, so it’s great for a weeknight meal. On a…
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09There’s nothing better than hearty soups during the winter months. When I don’t have time for long simmering stews, I like to turn to this recipe for a super fast soup with lots of flavor. It’s worth using homemade chicken stock, but if you don’t have it on…
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10I love making big batches of soup on the weekend. I store some of it in the refrigerator, and the rest I freeze in quart containers for when I need a quick lunch or dinner. I also prefer using homemade chicken stock, which I also keep in the freezer. Whenev…
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11White Bean Chicken Chili is a great alternative to traditional chili and makes a great dish for Super Bowl Sunday. Adjust the heat in this dish by adding the minced ribs and seeds from the jalapeño as directed in step 6. If Anaheim chiles cannot be found, a…
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12Potato and leek soup is a classic French recipe that couldn’t be more comforting on a cold winter day. It’s an easy recipe that requires only a few ingredients. The addition of a bread slice is typical in gazpacho recipes and adds to the “creamy” texture of…
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13I recently watched Mark Bittman make this on the Today show and thought it sounded like a great recipe. It’s so easy to throw together because it all cooks in one roasting pan and does not require pureeing. The apples lend a nice sweetness and the sage work…
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14You usually see this around Thanksgiving – it makes a great first course – but it’s also perfect on a cold winter day. I think the most impressed I’ve ever been with this soup was the first time I had it at Spago’s in Beverly Hills. Wolfgang Puck serves his…
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16This is one of my favorite soups – and unless you’re in France, it’s best to make it at home. Pungent yellow onions work best, and cooking them to a dark caramel color gives the soup depth and color. Tie the parsley and thyme sprigs together with kitchen tw…
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18This is a photo of the Gazpacho served at Mesón de Cándido in Segovia, Spain.
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19I always have homemade chicken stock on hand. It’s easy to make with leftover roasted chicken. Just throw the roasted chicken into a pot with an onion, carrot, bay leaf, cover it with 4-6 quarts of water, and simmer for a couple of hours. Strain broth with…
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