During the winter months, we can often find comfort in a warm bowl of soup or just a warm home-cooked dish. Many people think of soup as nourishment for when they are sick or not feeling well. It is always so comforting when a family member brings us soup if we are not feeling well. Warm dishes like soups can bring a sense of comfort to the soul – maybe that’s why it’s called ‘comfort food!’ However, adding nourishing vitamins and minerals to those warm dishes with fruits and veggies can be a source of nutrition to add to the comfort.
As you stroll through the produce section of the grocery store, you may start to see soup bundles. These soup bundles usually have vegetable items such as cabbage, carrots, celery, parsley, onions, and potatoes. When combined with a stock or broth and simmered in a pot for a couple of hours, this can be such a nourishing warm soup. Adding chicken, lean stew meat, or even chickpeas can be an easy way to add protein to the dish. This Cauliflower Herb Soup is a flavorful combination for a savory and satisfying soup.
Turn your favorite dishes into soups! Turn tacos into taco soup, fajitas into fajita soup. Soup can be a great budget stretcher! Adding vegetable broth, water, a side of crackers, or seasoned mix-ins, such as chili-ready tomatoes, can make a taco dinner-for-four turn into soup night for 8 to 10! It can also stretch the meal into a two-night dinner!
We can also warm our heart with warm beverages such as hot tea with lemon and honey. The soothing citrus of the lemon with the hot tea is a great way to perk up a wintery morning or afternoon.
Cooking fruit desserts such as a compote, cobbler, or a crisp is a mouthwatering way to warm your heart! The great thing about cooking fruit is that it can be a way to use fruit that is starting to over-ripen or use fruit that you have frozen during the year. Try out this Kiwifruit Cobbler for a delightful warm winter dessert!
Need a one-pan dinner? Vegetable pot pie can be just the dish you are looking for! Combining ingredients into one pan for a well-rounded family meal will have the family asking for more. Keep it simple by buying a bag of frozen mixed vegetables and add your favorite add-ins such as broccoli, cauliflower, or kale. Preparing the pot pie to go into the oven can be a great dish to get kids involved in the cooking process.
Busy families looking to have a hot meal on a busy weeknight might be more apt to use the slow cooker or instant pot to have a quick hot meal. Soups, beans, stews can be prepared in the slow cooker during the day or the instant pot prior to dinner time. This Slow Cooker Stuffed Pepper Soup is perfect for those busy weeknights! Preparing the vegetables, such as slicing onions and peppers, the night before and storing the prepped items in the refrigerator can make these types of meals a breeze.
A Louisiana favorite, gumbo, can even be a source of vegetables in a shrimp okra gumbo. Growing up in Louisiana, I can say that the minute the weather is under 70 degrees, most people refer to it as “gumbo weather.”
No matter what time of year it is or what the weather is outside, we can always find ways throughout the year to have a plant to warm our hearts!
FAQs
They called it Chicken Soup for the Soul because they wanted it to soothe and provide comfort, just like their grandmothers' cooking.
Does hot and sour soup help colds? ›
That dreaded scratchy throat and overall malaise required soup. I love Hot and Sour Soup and luckily had chicken broth in the freezer and fresh ginger and turmeric in the fridge. Ginger and turmeric are supposed to be anti-inflammatories so perfect for my worsening cold.
Does soup actually help when you're sick? ›
Chicken soup has long been used as a home remedy for cold and flu. Some scientific evidence indicates that the soup could be anti-inflammatory. Though research is scant, experts say chicken soup is worth a try when you're sick.
What soup is good for pneumonia? ›
Even when you're healthy, you need lots of fluids to stay hydrated. But they're extra important when you have pneumonia, because they help loosen the mucus in your lungs. That way, you can get rid of it when you cough. Your best options include water, warm tea, and broth-based soups, like chicken soup.
What is the meaning of comfort food for the soul? ›
“Food for the soul” is an expression most commonly used to describe things that make you happy and comfortable—it's how you fill your cup!
Why is soup so comforting? ›
If you're looking for a nutritious, comforting meal after a long winter day, a warm bowl of soup might be the perfect option. Since it is very easy for the body to digest, soup can help your body feel relaxed and potentially relieve digestive issues like bloating or gas.
Does hot soup help break up mucus? ›
Drinking enough liquids, especially warm ones can help with mucus flow. Water and other liquids can loosen your congestion by helping your mucus move. Try sipping liquids, like juice, clear broths, and soup. Other good liquid choices include decaffeinated tea, warm fruit juice, and lemon water.
Is hot and sour soup anti-inflammatory? ›
Hot And Sour Soup Helps In Decreasing Inflammation In The Body. Consuming hot and sour soup helps in preventing the movement of the white blood cells which are responsible for inflammation.
Is it better to eat soup or salad when sick? ›
Chicken soup has been a go-to for sickness for generations — and for good reason. It's an easy-to-eat source of vitamins, minerals, calories, and protein, which are nutrients your body may need in larger quantities while you're recovering from an illness.
What is the best broth to drink when sick? ›
Bone broth serves as a great way to replenish the fluids that you're losing, while also providing your body with valuable electrolytes from the sodium in the broth. These electrolytes will also help you absorb the water more easily.
Chicken soup and other fluids can improve symptoms. Drinking plenty of liquids, such as water, juice, clear broth or chicken soup helps loosen mucus that can cause congestion and helps prevent dehydration.
Which soup is best for lungs? ›
Whether you seek to maintain lung vitality, recover from respiratory issues, or simply nurture your body, these soups will become your go-to resource. Indulge in the comforting warmth of Roasted Red Pepper and Lentil Soup or experience the satisfying creaminess of Creamy Mushroom and Lentil Soup.
Which soup is best for bronchitis? ›
Best foods to eat when sick with bronchitis
Chicken soup can help ease a sore throat and loosen mucus when you're sick with bronchitis. Add spices such as turmeric, ginger, and garlic to soothe throat and chest irritation.
What does soup mean in slang? ›
Slang. added power, especially horsepower.
What is the meaning of chicken soup for the soul day? ›
National Chicken Soup for the Soul Day celebrates who you are and how you get there. Take time to nurture your soul on November 12th.
What is the Chicken Soup for the Soul slang? ›
After what Canfield said was some 315 million copies circulated in China, including many in schools, "chicken soup" became Chinese slang for uplifting stories with no substance, or advice that makes you feel better but doesn't solve your problems.
What does food for your soul mean? ›
And what does the expression 'feed your soul' even mean? Well, it can probably mean anything you want it to mean but I believe feeding your soul is about taking steps to feel at peace with yourself, wherever you are in your life at this moment in time, whether things are going well or you're in the midst of challenges.
