You Can’t Go Wrong with Soup and Bread for those Chilly Nights
It’s Fall and it
‘s time to enjoy butternut squash at its peak.
A simple dinner of soup and bread warms the heart and nourishes the soul. Here are five of our favorite soup ideas, like Butternut Squash, to enjoy this fall. They’re cozy, satisfying, and perfect with a crusty loaf or warm focaccia drizzled with extra virgin olive oil.
Butternut Squash Soup
There’s nothing like the the smooth, velvety texture of Butternut Squash Soup. It’s slightly sweet and delicious with a hint of nutmeg or curry.
Tips: Roast cubed squash and onions (if using) until caramelized, then simmer with warm chicken or vegetable broth, then add a splash of cream or coconut milk. Purée until silky. Finish with chopped parsley, toasted pepitas, a drizzle of browned butter, chili crisp, freshly ground black pepper or flaky sea salt.
Chicken & Dumplings
Chicken & Dumplings is a classic comfort food with its tender shredded chicken, flavorful broth, carrots, celery, and soft dumplings. Use a rich, homemade stock if possible, then add fresh herbs like parsley or thyme. Drop spoonfuls of biscuit-style dough into the simmering broth for light, fluffy dumplings that soak up all the flavor. Scroll down for an easy Cheddar & Parsley Dumpling Recipe.
Vegetarian Tortilla Soup
We like making this soup because it’s bright, smoky and packed with veggies like celery, tomatoes, bell peppers, onions, garlic and corn. Add black beans, pinto beans or both! Simmer vegetables in a tomato- vegetable broth, then finish with lime juice and cilantro (if you are pro-cilantro 😜) for brightness. Serve with crisp tortilla strips, shredded cheese, chopped green onion, avocado slices, and a dollop of sour cream.
Tips: To thicken the soup, remove about 2 cups of soup into a blender and add a handful of tortilla chips, then blend until smooth. Add that back to the soup to give it an extra corn flavor, and it will also thicken the soup. It’s delicious! Spice reccomendations: ground ancho pepper, a touch of ground cumin, smoked paprika and black pepper.
Escarole & Tortellini Soup
This is a simple and quick nourishing bowl that’s both rustic and elegant. The tender escarole is wilted into garlicky broth with cheese-filled tortellini. Sauté garlic and red pepper flakes, add chopped escarole along with vegetable or chicken broth, then stir in tortellini until tender. Finish with shaved Parmesan and a squeeze of lemon or dash of sherry vinegar to lift the flavors. Add cooked white beans for extra heartiness.
Creamy Wild Rice & Mushrooms
The nutty wild rice with a mix of mushrooms in a creamy, savory broth is very earthy, hearty, and deeply satisfying. Serve it alongside toasty sourdough with herbed butter, and you’ll be happy for days. Sauté mushrooms until golden, deglaze with a little white wine or sherry, then combine with cooked wild rice and cream or a cashew-based alternative. It’s best to sauté the mushrooms in a large pan so they don’t steam, you’ll want to create that golden almost crispy texture to bring out it’s savory flavors. Add thyme and a touch of soy or tamari for umami. Top it off with toasted walnuts or crispy shallots. Our favorite mushrooms are a mixure of shitake, cremini, white button and oyster.
Don’t forget the bread!
If you can get your hands on homemade sourdough, grab it (or make it!) It is incredibly delicious, and has so many health benefits:
It’s easier to digest, has a lower glycemic index, has better nutrient absorbtion, and good for your gut due to its fermentation process.
If you can’t get your hands on homemade sourdough, there is plenty of offerings out there at local and commercial bakeries like focaccia, rustic boule, garlic-cheddar loaf, hearty wheat, or a French baguette. Serve with butter or extra virgin olive oil, and your all set.
The best tip: Make extra soup for an easy lunch the next day because soups often taste even better after resting overnight.
Stop by The Grateful Gourmet for soup tools, ladles, artisan bowls, pantry finds and butter crocks to make these recipes shine!
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1 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon white sugar
½ teaspoon sea salt
1 tablespoon chopped Italian parsley
1 tablespoon butter
½ cup shredded medium or sharp cheddar
½ cup of milk or buttermilk
Directions:
Stir flour, baking powder, sugar, herbs and salt together in a large bowl.
Cut butter into mixture, stirring until crumbly. Add shredded sharp cheddar. Stir in milk; mix until a thick batter forms. Let rest, 3 to 5 minutes.
Drop batter by spoonfuls into boiling stew or soup. Cover and simmer, undisturbed, about 15 minutes. Serve.
The Linen Cream Soup Crock distills Scandinavian design into a single everyday bowl.
This crock holds up to 32 ounces of porridge and oatmeal, Nordic fish stew, smoked salmon chowder, creamed mushroom soup, congee, granola with yogurt, shakshuka, or slow-braised comfort foods.
Crafted from durable stoneware with a smooth protective glaze, the crocks are dishwasher, microwave, and oven safe — boiler-friendly for finishing French onion soup or melting a cheese crouton on tomato bisque, served directly from oven to table.
Dimensions: 6.5” W X 8.25” L X 3” H
Made for hearty pours and cozy moments. The Hudson Soup Mug’s generous bowl and sturdy handled shape hold generous servings of soup, stew, ramen, or hot cider without crowding the spoon. Its reactive dark blue glaze gives each mug a slightly unique, handcrafted look and a warm, tactile finish that feels right at home on a winter table or a rainy afternoon.
Features
Large capacity ideal for soups, stews, ramen bowls, chili, or mulled cider
Comfortable, easy-grip handle for steady sipping and carrying
Reactive dark blue glaze — each piece has its own subtle variations and depth
Durable stoneware that’s suitable for everyday use
Care
Microwave and dishwasher-safe for everyday convenience (handle with care to preserve glaze over time)
Why you’ll love it This mug balances generous capacity with a cozy, hand-thrown feel. The Hudson is perfect when you want a single vessel that can carry a full meal, warm you up, and still look lovely on the table. A dependable favorite for home cooks and comfort-food lovers alike.
Dimensions: 7” L x 5.5” W x 3” H
Bread Etc.: Recipes + Techniques for Baking with Sourdough, Yeasted Dough, Pizza Dough + More
Bread Etc. distills the complex art of mixing, shaping, and baking dough into clear explanations and easy-to-read instructions. You’ll begin with an overview of bread baking that breaks down every dough mystery, followed by recipes geared to both novice and advanced bakers. In the handsomely designed pages of Bread Etc. you’ll find more than 100 recipes for:
Yeasted Doughs: Start here for reliable breads, like Pullman Bread and Challah, and baked goods like English Muffins, Classic Artisan Bagels, and Traditional Pretzels.
Sourdoughs: The thick middle slice of Bread Etc. explains sourdough from the starter up, developing your skills with a Beginner Sourdough before moving on to richer breads like the Marble Rye, a Brown Butter Oat Porridge Sourdough, and even desserts like Sourdough Doughnuts and Sourdough Sticky Buns.
Pizza Doughs: Make restaurant-worthy pizza at home. Focus on perfecting pizza dough—with five dough recipes to choose from—in either a standard home oven or pizza oven. Enjoy simple pies like the Home Oven Margherita or the more topping-heavy Pepperoni, Toasted Fennel and Jalapeño Pizza.
Leftover Bread + Sourdough Discard: Don’t waste a thing! Turn leftover bread into a whole meal with recipes like Sourdough Migas with Chorizo and Farm Eggs, or a gorgeous salad like Sourdough Panzanella with Heirloom Tomatoes. Plus, use your sourdough discard in recipes like the Einkorn Waffles, Ricotta Gnocchi, or Brown Butter Blondies.
In Bread Etc., Matt Duffy shares his decades of experience and passion with precise explanations, dough schedules, and step-by-step photographs to help you gain an in-depth understanding of the whole bread-baking process. With this book, you'll be confidently crafting loaves, pizzas, and other bread goods—and even developing bread creations of your own—at home.
The Honey Bee Butter Bell Crock - was designed exclusively for L. Tremain by a passionate beekeeper, this charming crock celebrates the honey bee and its essential role in nature. The original pattern showcases honey bees performing their distinctive "waggle" dances, intricately arranged around the crock base and lid in a classic navy blue decal. It's the bee's knees! A chic gift that will leave your foodie friends and family "buzzing" with happiness.
Using a Butter Bell® Crock offers several benefits for those who enjoy the taste and texture of spreadable butter. This simple yet effective vessel allows butter to be stored at room temperature without losing freshness, making it readily accessible for spreading on bread and other foods. The water seal creates an airtight environment that protects the butter from air exposure and contaminants, helping to maintain its flavor and preventing spoilage. Additionally, the Butter Bell® Crock can accommodate various types of butter, including flavored or salted options, so you can customize your experience. Its charming design also adds a decorative touch to kitchen counters, while promoting a more convenient butter usage routine.
Holds 1/2 cup of butter
Free of lead and cadmium
Endorsed by top chefs and butter manufacturers
Made of durable New Bone China
Dishwasher safe
Size: 4.25" x 3.78"