Welcome to Soup Week

This week we've decided to try Soup Week, like Shark Week on The Discovery Channel (only with soup).

On Friday the Husband picked up for me the original Barefoot Contessa cookbook. After the success of Ina's Potato Leek Vichyssoise, mac and cheese and various other goodies which we had at the pool party we've decided to give six of her soups a go this week for dinner. Last night's trial run was with Parker's Split Pea Soup. Ina claims that Steven Speilberg has said this soup taste's just like his mom's. We were hoping Steven's mom makes good split pea soup, and indeed she must as it went over quite well! I added a little bit of white wine and a touch of heavy cream (but otherwise stayed true to the recipe). After all, what doesn't taste better with a bit of heavy cream? The real winner though? Parmesan croutons which Ina recommended as an accompaniment. You just brush olive oil on 1/4 inch thick slices of french bread, sprinkle with salt, pepper and grated parmesan cheese. Bake at 400 for 15-20 minutes and Voila! Perfect tasty soup toppers.

Tonight's soup project is Cheddar Corn Chowder (looking forward to this one!)
Tomorrow is French Onion Soup (which we may try with the goat cheese tart that Ina recommends). Thursday is roasted-potato fennel soup (never worked with fennel before). Then it's Rosemary White Bean Soup and finally thenRoasted Tomato Basil Soup (to be served with grilled cheese, of course. Each morning we'll let you know how the soup from the night before went over!