Seasonal Soups and Stews
A guide to creating a diverse range of soups and stews that utilize fresh, seasonal ingredients. Aimed at offering delightful dishes to be enjoyed throughout the year, this playbook helps you stay aligned with nature's offerings and maintain variety in your cooking.
Step 1: Research
Investigate seasonal produce for the current season. Look up information online, check out local farmers' markets, or ask your grocery store for what's currently harvested locally.
Step 2: Select Recipes
Based on your research, choose soup and stew recipes that include the majority of the seasonal ingredients available.
Step 3: Plan Menus
Organize your selected recipes into weekly or monthly meal plans. Balance different types of soups and stews (creamy, brothy, meat-based, vegetarian, etc.) throughout the plan.
Step 4: Shop
Make a shopping list of ingredients needed for your recipes that you don’t already have at home. Prioritize buying fresh, seasonal produce.
Step 5: Prep Ingredients
Wash, chop, and prepare your ingredients. This can often be done in advance to make actual cooking more convenient.
Step 6: Cook
Follow the recipes to cook your soups and stews. Make sure to taste as you go and adjust seasoning as necessary.
Step 7: Store
Cool down leftovers and store them in the refrigerator or freezer in airtight containers. Label the containers with the date and type of soup or stew.
Step 8: Serve
Reheat soups and stews as needed for meals. Garnish with fresh herbs or toppings as suggested by the recipe for an added burst of flavor and texture.
Step 9: Review
After consuming your meals, take notes on what worked well and what didn’t. Use this feedback for improving your next seasonal menu plan.
General Notes
Seasonal Variations
Be flexible with recipes and substitute ingredients based on availability. Using in-season produce will result in better tasting and more nutritious dishes.
Preservation
Consider preserving excess seasonal produce through canning, freezing, or drying for later use in soups and stews.
Serving Tips
Serve soups and stews with complementary sides like crusty bread or a fresh salad to complete your meal.
Healthier Options
For healthier variations, look for recipes that use whole, unprocessed ingredients and include lots of vegetables, legumes, and grains.