Sunday, January 15, 2012

Review: Soup of the Day (Williams-Sonoma): 365 Recipes for Every Day of the Year by Kate McMillian and Erin Kunkel








  • Hardcover: 304 pages
  • Publisher: Weldon Owen (January 31, 2012)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1616281677
  • ISBN-13: 978-1616281670

Book Description


ENDLESSLY VERSATILE, soup is perfect for any season and every occasion. What better way to capture the essence of spring than by simmering freshly shelled peas and fava beans in a fragrant broth accented by bracing mint and refreshing lemon zest? In summer, a cool gazpacho made by whirling perfectly ripe tomatoes, juicy cucumbers, and vibrant red peppers is fitting for a hot and humid day—no pot necessary! When the air turns brisk, soup nourishes and satisfies like no other dish. In autumn, white beans mingle with sturdy greens in satisfying, peasant-style pots, and starchy squashes and root vegetables blend into silky purÉes. Winter brings even more soul-warming fare, such as chilis and stews featuring sausages and other hearty meats and thick vegetable soups scented with woodsy herbs.

Williams-Sonoma Soup of the Day offers a tantalizing collection of 365 soup recipes: one for each day of the year. Colorful calendars at the beginning of each chapter offer an at-a-glance view of the dishes best suited for the ingredients, occasions, and typical weather of the month. From January to December, you’ll find a seasonal soup that will satisfy any craving, and match any meal ranging from a quick weeknight supper to an elegant dinner party. A handful of the recipes are even appropriate for the holiday table, while others are perfect for using up a leftover roast or chicken. Notes accompanying each recipe offer ideas for ingredient variations, garnishes, and other helpful tips. All of the soups can be dressed up or dressed down; served in rustic earthenware mugs or on heirloom china; garnished with a flourish of fried herbs or dollop of pesto, or stripped down to the bare, tasty essentials—the possibilities are endless, but always delicious.

Full-color photographs enhance many of the recipes inside to help guide your cooking. You can start your soup-making journey at any time—just open this book, check the calendar, and you’ll be inspired to create a new soup du jour every day of the year.



About the Author

 

Kate McMillan is chef and owner of an eponymous catering company and an instructor at Tante Marie’s Cooking School in San Francisco. After nine years of working as an event planner and in advertising sales at Vogue, Glamour, and People magazines, Kate decided to seriously pursue her passion for food by attending the California Culinary Academy and graduated from Tante Marie Cooking School in San Francisco where she honed her culinary skills. She began taking small catering jobs while in culinary school and has since grown her business to include everything from casual dinner parties for 8 to passed hors d’oeuvres soirees for 400. Kate lives in San Francisco with her five-year-old twins Emily and Grace, who already enjoy helping in the kitchen (especially when it involves cupcake batter).
Erin Kunkel is an award-winning food and lifestyle photographer who works around the world, and calls the foggy outerlands of San Francisco home. When she’s not behind the camera, she can be found gardening, cooking and dreaming of warm water surf spots.


My Review

Another beautifully illustrated cookbook from the folks at William Sonoma. There are 365 soup recipes.  One for every day of the year.  The recipe chapters go by month with recipes featured that are perfect for that time of the year. Plenty of innovative new recipes and as well as old favorites.  My only complaint would be is that there is not enough photos.



Sample recipes:


January
French Onion Soup
Classic Chicken Noodle Soup
Barley and Leek Soup with Chicken Meatballs


February
Creamy Cauliflower Soup with Crispy Prosciutto
Black Bean Soup with Meyer Lemon CrÈme FraÎche
Winter Greens Soup with Shiitakes & Poached Eggs


March
White Bean Soup with Sage & Olive Oil
Broccoli-Leek Soup
Fava Bean & Farfalle Soup


April
Artichoke & Quinoa Soup with Green Garlic
Sorrel Soup with Torn Croutons
Carrot & Coconut Soup with Curried Almonds


May
Egg-Lemon Soup with Fava Beans
Leek & Asparagus Vichyssoise
Weeknight Ginger Chicken Soup


June
Cool Honeydew-Melon Soup
Vietnamese Chicken Meatballs in Broth
Golden Beet Soup with Dilled Goat Cheese


July
Chilled Cucumber-Yogurt Soup with Lemon & Mint
Spicy Corn Soup
Gazpacho


August
Watermelon Gazpacho
Charred Eggplant Soup with Cumin & Greek Yogurt
Smoky Red Pepper Soup


September
Corn & Lobster Chowder
Fennel-Leek Soup with Zucchini Carpaccio
Turkey–White Bean Chili


October
Acorn Squash Soup with Toasted Walnut Butter
Celery Root Soup with Caramelized Apples
Cannelini Bean, Broccolini & Bratwurst Soup


November
Red Cabbage & Apple Soup
Chicken-Tomatillo Soup with Chipotle Chiles
Smoked Fish Chowder


December
Cream of Sundried Tomato Soup with Crab
Short Rib Chili with Smoked Paprika CrÈme FraÎche
Sweet Potato Soup with Cheddar Cheese

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