By Kim Amboy:
I was bored to death! Grandmother and I had come to visit great grandma on a cold winter’s day in Michigan when I was just five years old. Unfortunately for me, there were no toys or coloring books, and all I could find to do was sit and watch the two older ladies chatting and peeling a massive pile of carrots, celery, potatoes, and onions before putting everything through a hand-cranked metal food grinder. The resulting pulp was scooped into a giant pot on the stove along with other vegetables I did not recognize. I just knew it was going to be disgusting, and the look on my face showed it. Grandmother sensed my unfounded prejudice, smiled, and kept cooking. All through that long, dreary day, the huge pot of vegetable beef soup simmered, warming the house and filling the air with a wonderful aroma. Even I had to admit it smelled pretty good! And then, just when the soup was ready, grandma pulled a crusty golden loaf of piping hot bread from the oven and placed everything on the table. Dinner was ready, and let me tell you, I was a believer from the first bite.
These memories chronicle my introduction to one of life’s uncomplicated joys…slurping (my grandmothers were NOT impressed) a simple bowl of hearty homemade soup. Yes, canned soup heated up in a pan is okay and hits the spot when you’re in a pinch. But few foods offer as much comfort as a made-from-scratch bowl of hot soup…even leftovers seem to improve in flavor when reheated the next day. It’s the economical go-to meal when a loved one is sick, the weather is cold, or someone needs a cure for rainy-day blues.
Cooking it can be just as comforting as eating it. The chopping of veggies, the bubbling of the crockpot on the counter, and the delicious aroma make for a cozy atmosphere–ideal for catching up on domestic chores or that pile of paperwork while dinner is cooking away in the background. Truly, soup is the multitasker’s perfect supper choice.
So, remember this little tribute to our humble and underrated culinary friend, SOUP. Why not skip fast food this week and enjoy a simple mug of brothy noodles, a hearty chowder, or your favorite spicy chili? Inhale the aroma, unwind, and reflect on one of life’s simplest comforts. It’ll be good, I promise!