Potato Soup Recipes

Potato Soup Recipes are Versatile and Budget Friendly!

During cold weather, hearty, filling meals are inviting. A big bowl of soup, some crusty bread and a dinner salad will do the trick. If you think you've run out of tasty soup ideas, consider the plain, humble potato. The bland flavor of the potato lends itself admirably to an array of the complementary and contrasting flavors of dozens of other ingredients.

The starch in potatoes serves to thicken the broth and the smooth texture is a perfect foil for crunchy additions like broccoli, water chestnuts and celery. The juicy tastes provided by mushrooms, corn and onions contrast nicely in your mouth. Potato soup recipes require only small amounts of other ingredients, thus making a very economical dish. If you're on a tight food budget, potato soup recipes are good menu additions for winter appetites.

Richly flavored meats like ham, bacon and spicy sausages may be added in small amounts that pack lots of good taste. Ground beef, seasoned with savory or spicy-hot combinations also add a good dose of pizazz to your potato soup recipes.

You've got lots of latitude with your seasoning choices when potato is the base. Traditional savory combinations with thyme, rosemary, marjoram and parsley give a satisfying comfort-food flavor to potato soup recipes.

A little cumin, a pinch of cayenne and some taco seasoning add a pleasantly spicy taste. Combine onions, scallions, parsley and dill for a delightful combination. Freshly snipped chives and a bit of black pepper can form the entire seasoning in vegetarian potato soup recipes.

Vegetables are natural partners in potato soups. Go for a mix of textures that add interest. For example, a combination of brightly colored bell peppers, onions, corn, mushrooms and sliced black olives provide a diverse assortment of flavors and bite your family is sure to enjoy.

Broccoli, corn and onions are another traditional combination of veggies used to advantage in potato soup recipes. Sorrel and spinach combine well, especially enhanced with a garnish of dill sprinkled on top of each soup plate. Try a simple mixture of broccoli, onions and black pepper in your potato soup, with a generous grating of sharp cheddar in the center of each bowl.

The varieties of potato soup recipes are many. One of the major virtues of a potato soup is that when it's time to use up leftovers, you've got a hearty dinner, ready in minutes. Good for your pocketbook, palate and good health. What more could you want?