January is National Soup Month

Last updated on May 24th, 2021 at 08:22 am

When I think about snow, cold weather, and dark skies at 5:30 pm, there is only one thing to warm up your mind and body- SOUP! So, it is only fitting that the month of January be National Soup Month. Some of you may like Campbell’s Chicken Noodle Soup, others might go to Panera for a bowl of Broccoli Cheddar Soup. In fact, did you know that American’s consume more than 2 billion cans of Campbell’s soup each year! According to Campbell’s their Chicken Noodle, Tomato, and Cream of Mushroom are their most popular soups. It’s something about the smell of soup broth simmering on the stove and fresh bread baking in the oven ready to sop up the soup from the bottom of my bowl that you just cannot resist!

No matter where you get your warm bowl of soup from, it is the perfect remedy for dreadful January weather. For those of you who are fans of Guy Fieri’s Diner, Drive-Ins, and Dives television show, you’ll love this remarkably simple recipe for clam chowder:

Rhode Island Clam Chowder
Courtesy of Domenic Bitto of Evelyn’s Drive-In

Ingredients:
1 gallon cold water
2 c freshly chopped raw clams
1 med onion chopped
1 c unsalted butter
4 bay leaves
3 T clam base
1 1/2 T kosher salt
1/2 T freshly ground black pepper
4 c 1/2-inch diced Red Bliss Soup
Sour Cream, for serving

Directions:
1- Put all ingredients except potatoes in large soup pot. Bring to boil over medium-high heat. Add potatoes and cook until tender (about 10 minutes)
2- Ladle the soup into bowls and serve with a dollop of sour cream

(“Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives An All-American Road Trip with Recipes,” by Guy Fieri with Ann Volkwein)