Soup-er Winter Party

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By Megan Baldwin
Staff Writer

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A Soup-er Bowl

There is nothing more heart-and-belly warming than a bowl of warm soup. In the winter time, it just spells comfort. But by January, those same old recipes can become a little repetitive. So in honor of national soup month, why not cull all of your neighbors concoctions for a soup social?

Whether you're ringing in the New Year, watching the Super Bowl, or just beating the chill, there is no easier way to gather with friends and have a bowl.

Food and Recipes

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Italian Sausage and Pasta Soup

Soup things up with this hearty Italian Sausage Soup recipe.

Ingredients

2 Lbs Hot of Mild Italian Sausages
3 Pieces Peeled Carrot
1 Pieces Onion Peeled and Chopped
4 Slices Garlic peeled and chopped
3 Quart Fat Skimmed Chicken Broth
14 Fl. Oz. Diced Tomatoes
2 Cup(s) White Beans
1 Tbsp Dried Basil
2 Cup(s) Shell Shaped Pasta
4 Quart Spinach Leaves

Steps

Squeeze sausages from casings into an 8- to 10-quart pan over high heat and stir often, breaking them apart with a spoon, until browned and crumbly, 8 to 10 minutes. Spoon out and discard all but 1 tablespoon fat from pan.
Add carrots, onion, and garlic; stir often until onion is limp, 5 to 7 minutes. Add broth, tomatoes (including juice), beans, and basil and bring to a boil.
Add pasta, reduce heat, and simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, until pasta is just tender to bite, about 10 minutes. Skim and discard fat. Stir in spinach and cook just until it is wilted, about 30 seconds. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve soup from the pan, or pour into a tureen. Offer parmesan cheese to add to taste

Preparation Time: 30 Minutes

Serves: 5

How to Serve: Hot

Tags: Soup, Sausage

Tips

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Tips for a Soup-ed Up Party this Winter

Warm up with Soup at your winter party. Tips on how to keep it easy and memorable.

Invite friends and neighbors for an informal night of socializing and ask each to bring a favorite soup or something to go with it. To keep things light and stress free do not require an RSVP required-but do enclose a blank card so that they can fill out the recipe for their dish.
Purchase bowls, spoon and ladles. If you would rather save on the clean up, sturdy plastic bowls will do. Or mine your local thrift store for inexpensive pieces.
Set up different stations for soup, salad and bread. Make sure that the soup table has plenty of extra outlets so slow cookers can be plugged in. You may also want to specify that those bringing soups should bring their own slow cookers if possible.
Prepare the garnishes and condiments ahead of time. You can shred cheese, chop onions, or fry tortilla strips a day ahead. Provide a selection of bread and easy salad-just in case..
Whenever the party falls, consider setting a large soup bowl on the main table to collect donations for the local food pantry. Even after the holidays, this is a nice way to give back to the community.
Let the guests serve themselves. There is no need to stress, set out soups as they arrive, with the corresponding recipe cards. Have guests ladle soups into mugs or small bowls so they can tailor each t their liking.
Take photographs of the soups and your guests enjoying them. As a gift consider using Blurb.com to create a cookbook of the different recipes for each of your guests.

Tags: Fall Party, Soup, Have Friends Over, Casual

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