by Molly Jo Realy @MollyJoRealy

Frankly, My Dear . . . : Five Things Friday

Frankly, My Dear . . . : Five Things Friday

Ah, the sounds of baseball and crunchy leaves. The feel of a cool breeze and warm coffees. The taste of chestnuts, roasted apples, pumpkin anything . . . What have I missed? It’s the most wonderful time of the year, before the most wonderful time of the year. Am I right? I think I’m right.

Social media is already abuzz with changing weather, pre-holiday plans, and the color orange. I mean, who can resist? It’s like you just speak the word “autumn” and the Fall Fairies fly out and populate everything into a cozy dreamland.

One of my favorite benefits of this time of year (and I know I’m not alone, y’all) is soups. Ohsomany delicious, hearty, smooth, or chunky moments of hot bliss when the world pauses long enough for you take a sip or a spoonful of pretty much any flavor you want.

Some of my favorite restaurant soups include Olive Garden’s Gnocchi Soup, Marie Callendar’s Potato Cheese Soup, and Mamnoon’s Red Lentil Soup. But I can’t always fly to Seattle when I’m craving some warm goodness, so I turn to my own kitchen more often this time of year.

Whether it’s slow cooker style or stove top friendly, soup is both a main entree or a side dish. Don’t believe me? Try any of these for lunch, dinner, or even a late night snack. Want the recipes? Click on the title links.

  1. Cheesy Potato Soup. You can make this hearty dish with large or small cuts of potatoes and vegetables. It’s up to you. I like to mix up the cheeses now and then. Gruyere adds a nice flavor, smoked Parmesan too.

    Frankly, My Dear . . . : Cheesy Potato Soup

    Frankly, My Dear . . . : Cheesy Potato Soup

  2. Slow Cooker Pumpkin Soup. This is a recent addition to my recipe planner. It’s easily modified for sweetness and texture, by adding more or less cream and spices, and by pureeing your vegetables before adding them into the soup.

    Frankly, My Dear . . . Slow Cooker Pumpkin Soup

    Frankly, My Dear . . . Slow Cooker Pumpkin Soup

  3. Homemade Chicken Soup. This is not only a great recipe for soup, it’s also a great starter for freezer broth to add to later soups and casseroles. It’s incredibly easy, aromatic, and the health benefits are amazing. Your momma always told you to eat your chicken soup, didn’t she?

    Frankly, My Dear . . . : Chicken Stock and Soup

    Frankly, My Dear . . . : Chicken Stock and Soup

  4. Chicken Soup with Rice. So, this is a little cheater recipe, using most of #3 above. But that’s the beauty of soups! Y’all can fix them to your own, uh, tastes. [See what I did there?]

    Frankly, My Dear . . . : Chicken Soup With Rice

    Frankly, My Dear . . . : Chicken Soup With Rice

  5. Baked Potato Soup. This reminds me of the egg gravy recipe I’ve loved since, well, forever. Add some green onion and bacon and potato skins. Hulloh! Deliciously perfect. I mean it. Try it. It’s *awesome*.

    Baked Potato Soup in a Mason Jar

    Baked Potato Soup, from Laughter is Louder with Good Food Cookbook

I’m sure within the week I’ll have more wonderful soup recipes ready to share. How ’bout you?

TWEET THIS: Autumn means soups. What are your favorite flavors? @MollyJoRealy #foodie #flavors

With a a bowlful of warmth and a heart full of joy,
Happy eating!
~Molly Jo

And Frankly, My Dear . . . That’s all she wrote!

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