Soup

While we typically simmer up a batch of homemade soup when a craving strikes, we turn to store-bought from time to time, particularly when we're feeling under the weather. The problem? It tends to fall flat no matter the source — whether a can, tetra pack, or the prepared foods section of Whole Foods — and tastes, well, canned. In these instances we turn to a few simple strategies to perk things up.

• Play with garnishes: Raid your pantry and crisper. Try adding a pinch of red pepper flakes, a few cracks of pepper, a drizzle of oil, a chiffonade of basil or other fresh herbs, a dollop of plain yogurt or sour cream, a handful of oyster crackers or crumbled saltines, or even a sprinkling of seeds, chopped nuts, or grated salty cheese like Parmesan. Not only do garnishes improve the soup's flavor, but they also add textural and visual contrast.
• Pay attention to the serving vessel: This may seem silly, but taking the time to serve soup in a favorite bowl or mug with proper silverware, rather than in its to-go container or a chipped bowl helps. We're visual creatures; embrace it!
• Adjust the seasoning: Soup, even of the homemade variety, tends to require a bit of tweaking to make the flavors shine. Oftentimes all a bowl needs is an extra pinch of salt, a splash of lemon juice or vinegar (try balsamic in tomato soup), or a hit of spice to take things from pathetic to palatable. Like all matters of seasoning, make sure to taste along the way.

What steps do you take to doctor up store-bought soup?

You're probably scratching your head wondering why this picture, which looks strangely like French onion soup, is labeled Irish onion soup. Well, let me explain. It's a jazzed-up variation of the classic onion- and bread-topped soup that uses two important Irish ingredients: Guinness and aged cheddar cheese.

It has the same flavors as the traditional rendition, but the beer provides a delicious complexity, and the cheese adds a delicate nuttiness. It's so good that it might just be my new favorite French onion soup recipe!

I highly recommend you serve it tonight or on St. Patrick's Day. Learn how to make it now.

As much as I love eating seasonally, it can be a hair uninspiring this time of year when the pickings are slim to say the least. Still, a girl's got to eat, and I prefer to do it well. I love this satiating but light soup that relies on a cold-weather market staple: the humble beet. Velvety smooth and perked up by the addition of tangy chèvre, it's not only delicious, but also practical. I like to make a big batch and reap the rewards throughout the week for an easy-to-reheat lunch or dinner.

A quick note: while this soup's vibrant color may lead you to think this is simply borscht by another name, don't let your eyes fool you. The main ingredient may be the same, but it's actually its own creature of sorts. Borscht tends to be served chilled, is quite a bit heartier, and has a decidedly different (and, judging by the host of recipes out there, varied) flavor profile.

Beet fanatic or newbie, let me urge you to read on

Adapted from Whole Living

Roasted Beet and Garlic Soup with Chèvre

Ingredients

6 medium to large beets, scrubbed clean and trimmed of stems
3 tablespoons canola oil, divided, plus more for drizzling
1 head unpeeled garlic
2 large leeks, thinly sliced
2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves, or 1 teaspoon herbes de Provence
2 bay leaves
4 cups vegetable stock
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly cracked pepper
4-5 teaspoons sherry vinegar
6 ounces chèvre (fresh goat cheese), crumbled

Directions

I love the tanginess of chèvre, or goat cheese (I'm partial to Laura Chenel — it's a classic for a reason) with this earthy soup, but if you're catering to a vegan crowd, feel free to omit the cheese and instead finish with a drizzle of good quality olive oil. If you don't keep sherry vinegar on hand, try subbing in cider vinegar or freshly squeezed lemon juice.

1. Preheat oven to 400ºF. Drizzle beets with 3 tablespoons canola oil and wrap tightly in aluminum foil. Place the foil packet on a baking sheet and roast til beets are fork-tender, about 1 hour. Meanwhile, slice the stem end off of the head of garlic and drizzle the exposed cloves with oil. Wrap the garlic in aluminum foil and roast for 40 minutes or until fragrant and golden brown.
2. Carefully unwrap the beets and garlic, and allow them to cool to the touch. Rub the beet skins off and quarter (with larger beets cut into eighths). Squeeze the cloves of garlic out from the head, and set aside.
3. Heat remaining 3 tablespoons canola oil in a stockpot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add leeks, and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 8-10 minutes. Add beets, garlic, thyme (or herbes de Provence), bay leaves, and vegetable stock, plus an additional 2 cups water.
4. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, and simmer for 5 minutes
5. Discard bay leaves, and blend til smooth either using an immersion blender (my preference) or by carefully transferring to a blender in batches.
6. Add olive oil, and season to taste with salt (I generally start with 1/2 teaspoon and go from there, tasting frequently) and vinegar.
7. Ladle into bowls and sprinkle with freshly cracked black pepper; garnish with goat cheese (about an ounce per serving).

Serves 6-8.

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Traditionally, "chowder" is considered a catch-all word for a variety of seafood and vegetable soups, but several regions have their own spin on the classic dish, perhaps most famously known for featuring clams. In honor of National Clam Chowder Day, we thought we'd offer a rundown of the most popular chowders across the US, from classic New England clam chowder to San Francisco's cioppino fish stew.

• Boston — New England Clam Chowder: Made with chopped clams, potatoes, and onions, this classic chowder is known for having a heavy cream base. For a healthier clam chowder recipe, use almond milk, rice flour, and celery seeds.
• New York — Manhattan Clam Chowder: For this variety of fish stew, tomatoes replace the milky cream base. There are also no potatoes, so the seafood sits in a much thinner vegetable broth.
• Rhode Island — Rhode Island Clam Chowder: In addition to its traditionally clear broth, quahogs (hard clams) and bacon set this chowder spin-off apart.

Keep reading for more types of chowder.