Simple Summer Soups You Can Sip

Hot or cold these simple soups are yummy!

     The other day I was checking out Facebook and noticed a status that read, "I'm hungry, but nothing sounds good."  Someone had commented back, "It's just too hot to eat".  I sort of felt the same way; I wanted something tasty, but the scorching weather puts the breaks on my enthusiam for whipping up anything too involved in the kitchen.  I was reminded of a soup recipe in one of my favorite cookbooks -The Family Chef by Jewels and Jill Elmore.  It's called, "So Easy Celery Soup" and is basically just celery, cauliflower, and onion cooked in chicken broth until tender and pureed in a blender.  The best part was how they mentioned
 that one of their clients sips cold soup
throughout the day.  Great idea!                           

 I started experimenting with different
 combinations of veggies and flavors using the
 Elmore "So Easy Soup" way.  It makes a cute
 little appetizer in vodka shot glasses
(I thought they were small vases when I bought them - ha!).  These soups are simple,
quick, and if you have some left over after lunch - it's a great pick-me-up late in the warm afternoon.    

Steps to make So Easy Summer Soup:

1.  Choose your main vegetable(s).

2.  Select either beans or cauliflower if you want a thicker consistency.  Pick onions, shallots, or both for flavor.

3.  If you wish, add some herbs for seasoning

White beans, peas, onions, and mint

Red pepper, tomato, shallot,and basil

Carrots, cauliflower, onion, and dill

4.  Pour enough chicken broth to cover, heat to boil, and then turn down the heat and simmer until the ingredients are soft.

Yellow Pepper, onions, and shallot

Celery, cauliflower, and onions

4.  Puree the mixture with an immersion blender or food processor.  Strain if you desire.

5.  Serve hot or cold.  Either way, these soups are delicious with a dollop of Greek yogurt and a sprig of herb.