Comfort Food Made Easy: 3 Slow-Cooked Soups

Try these one-pot recipes and enjoy a no-fuss evening savouring a warm bowl of soup.

 

1. Apres-Ski-Style Lentil-Sausage Soup

This hearty dish is perfect after time spent outdoors, whether it’s a long city walk or a spin a the local ice rink or a cross-country ski trek. To up the indulgence factor, pair with fresh black olive or rosemary foccacia bread.

6-8 Italian spiced sausages (hot or mild according to your preference)
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can beef broth
1 cup water
2/3 cup lentils
2 potatoes, washed and diced into small (1/4-1/2 inch) pieces
1 medium onion, diced
1 small bag mini-carrots or 4-5 regular carrots cut into 1/2 inch chunks*
2 tablespoons oregano
1 teaspoon sweet paprika

2. Ice Storm Pantry Minestrone

This soup is designed for a snow-bound day, when going out to the store doesn’t appeal.

1 can diced or crushed tomatoes
1 can chicken or beef broth
1 cup water
12-15 frozen meatballs, preferably Italian spiced*
1/2 to 2/3 cup macaroni or other pasta
1 onion, diced
3 cups frozen vegetables (almost any mix other than those designed for stir-fries; I prefer one which includes green beans and lima beans)
1 can romano or kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 tablespoon oregano and 1 tablespoon basil or 2 tablespoons Italian seasonings mix
1/2 teaspoon cayenne or several flakes of red pepper (to taste)

Place everything in the crock pot; stir and cook on low for 8-10 hours. Serves 4-6.

3. Makin’ Bacon Split-Pea Soup

While you’re busy earning a living this soup becomes a hearty Canadian meal. Pair with fresh multi-grain rolls.

1 pound split dried peas
3 slices bacon, diced
8 cups water (see below)
3 potatoes, peeled and cubed
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 ribs celery, chopped
1 carrot, finely diced
2 teaspoons thyme
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Place potatoes at bottom of crock pot, covered by other ingredients. If you want to just turn the crock pot on and walk away, and do not have a high-low (automatic) feature, cover with 8 cups boiling water and set on low for 10 hours. If you are at home for one hour after starting, or have a high-low (automatic) feature, cover with 8 cups cold water and either set on high-low and cook for 8-10 hours, or set at high for one hour and then turn to low for remaining 9-10 hours. Serves 8.

Vegetarian variation: Sauté onions and celery in olive oil over medium-low heat until onions are soft and brown to give a richer flavour; then proceed without bacon.

A version of this story was published on Nov. 14, 2018