Soup

You can use regular chives instead of garlic chives. Leftovers: Store leftover wrappers, wrapped in plastic food wrap, in fridge for up to 2 days. Use water chestnuts in stir-fries. Note

Wear disposable gloves when preparing beetroot to prevent hands from staining. To freeze, transfer soup to freezer-safe airtight containers. Cool. Cover, then refrigerate. Label, date and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in fridge overnight. To reheat: Place soup in a large saucepan. Stir gently over low heat until well heated. Safe chill-down: Stand […]

Soup will separate on standing, so stir it well before serving. Note

Add mint to the cooled (not hot) soup so it doesn’t discolour. Note

Serve with toasted sourdough. Note

Replace asparagus with 150g green beans. You’ll find pearl barley in the canned soup aisle. Note

Ham hocks, the shank end of a leg ham, are available at delicatessens, specialty stores, and some butchers. Shop around; hocks vary greatly in price, size and ‘meatiness’. Note

You can use lamb shoulder, shoulder chops or fore quarter chops instead of shanks. To reduce fat, make soup a day ahead, then refrigerate until cold; remove solidified fat from surface. Note

Soak dried borlotti beans in water overnight. Drain, then cook in simmering water for 45 minutes or until tender. Drain; add to soup in Step 1 with tomatoes, stock cubes and water. Make ahead: Prepare soup, without tortellini, a day ahead. Cover, then refrigerate. Cook tortellini while soup reheats; add as recipe directs. Dried tortellini […]

Soup will thicken on standing. For a thinner consistency, stir in 1/2 cup stock. Note

You can use cauliflower instead of broccoli. Note

Quick and healthy chicken pho recipe using chicken stock and barbecued shredded chicken. Create a fragrant and warming Vietnamese noodle soup that is rich in flavour.

Naan is a traditional Indian bread. You’ll find it in the bread section. If you don’t have an electric stick mixer, cool soup 5 minutes, then blend or process, in batches, using a blender or food processor. Note

To prevent the chowder curdling while adding the juice, remove pan from stove. 600g chopped firm white fish fillets can be used instead of chicken. Note

Make ahead: Cook soup a day ahead. Cover, then refrigerate. Smoked paprika is in the spice aisle. If unavailable, use sweet paprika. Note

After adding lemon mixture, don’t boil soup; it will curdle. Note

Tuscan bean soup

It tastes so rich, but it is full of goodness – peas and yoghurt!

Don’t let broth boil when adding wontons or they will fall apart. Note

Use lemon juice instead of lime. Add any combination of vegetables to laksa, such as sliced carrot, zucchini, red capsicum or baby buk choy. If you don’t eat fish, check curry paste doesn’t contain shrimp or fish sauce. For extra spice, add finely chopped red chilli with the laksa paste. Low fat use silken tofu […]

Using a V-slicer or mandolin makes slicing onions quick and easy. If slicing by hand, halve lengthwise first to make slicing easier. Note

To save time, use bought bacon bits instead of cooking bacon. You can cook soup a day ahead. Cover, then refrigerate. For a variation, stir in 1/2 cup finely chopped cooked chicken just before serving. Note

Fish and risoni soup

Ham hocks are salty so there’s no need to add extra salt. Note

You can use brown onion instead of red. Make ahead: Cook soup (up to the end of Step 1, but omit coriander) up to 3 days ahead. Store in an airtight container in the fridge. To reheat, place soup in a large saucepan; cook and stir over low heat for 5 minutes or until heated. […]

To shallow-fry, add oil to a depth of 3cm. Note

If preferred, you can use half cauliflower and half broccoli. You can microwave the cauliflower for the garnish for 2-3 minutes on high (100%) power in a covered, microwave-safe dish. Note

Prepare crispy prosciutto by cooking in a dry frying pan for 2-3 minutes, until crisp. Or arrange on an oven tray and bake in a moderate oven, 180°C for 5-10 minutes. Note

For cheese baguette, slice loaf and arrange on a grill tray. Sprinkle with cheese then grill until melted. A sliced leek could be added to this soup. For a richer soup, use cream instead of milk. Note

Canned creamed can be used for a different flavour and texture. Note

To make chicken stock, bring to the boil water, chicken bones, onion, carrot and ginger in a big saucepan. Simmer, uncovered, 2 hours, skimming off fat at intervals. Strain; chill until required. Note

Use a finely chopped onion if you don’t have a leek. Make croutons by toasting crestless bread and cutting into cubes. Alternatively, fry cubes of bread in a little oil or butter until golden. Note

If desired, use fresh or frozen corn kernels. “Egg flowers” can be omitted if preferred. Note

If preferred, serve soup slightly warmed. Note

Canned lentils can be used – simply drain, rinse and add to the soup with the meat. This soup thickens on cooling, so add a little water. Note

Clean mussels by scrubbing shells with a firm brush and removing fibrous “beard” by pulling with a knife. Note

A hearty soup that�s perfect for using up festive ham leftovers or as a comforting and warming soup for those cooler winter nights. It�s pea and ham soup at its best.

Other potatoes of choice may be used in this recipe. Note

This dish is the perfect way to get your seafood fix! Serve on a bed of rice noodles, topped with toasted shredded coconut for extra flavour.

A few snipped chives or a dollop of light sour cream are delicious with this soup. Note

If you don’t have saffron threads, use a 1/4 teaspoon turmeric instead. Any unopened mussels should not be discarded as they are still fine to eat (despite previous concerns that suggested otherwise). The tendon connecting the shells simply needs to be slit with a small sharp knife to open the mussel. Note

For a southern Asian taste, add ground turmeric and coriander. Yoghurt can be used for the sour cream. Note

Suitable to freeze separately. Not suitable to microwave. Note

GARLIC TURKISH FINGERS: Brush turkish bread pieces with olive oil, rub with a garlic clove and sprinkle with seasoning. Grill for 2-3 minutes, until golden. Red, brown or white onions can be used for this. Cook them slowly, stirring. Note

Try adding a splash of soy sauce just before serving. Note

If scum or fat appears on the surface of the soup as it cooks, remove it by blotting with a paper towel. Another option is to chill the cooked soup overnight to allow solids to harden on the surface, then remove the fat with a spoon and reheat the soup before serving. Note

If liked, serve soup topped with yoghurt in place of fetta. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container, or frozen. Note

If preferred, use 1 cup shredded barbecued chicken. Note

If preferred, use fresh crab meat, available from the chilled seafood section of your supermarket. Note

MAKES 6 CUPS You can freeze this soup without the cream. Add when reheating. Note

Is there anything more comforting on a cold winter's day than a hot bowl of French onion soup? Especially with a thick slice of toasted bread loaded with melted gruyere cheese.

If liked, use 1/2 a red and 1/2 a green capsicum. Note

You need about 1/2 cup ciabatta bread chunks. Note

Warming and hearty chowder packed full with bacon, smoked cod, prawns and fresh vegetables. Creamy, thick and incredibly warming - the perfect chowder for those colder nights.

Creamy, thick and incredibly warming, this hearty chowder is packed full of ham, smoked cod, potatoes and fresh vegetables to create the perfect chowder for those cold winter nights.

Use any short pasta you have. Reduce the liquid and turn this into a one-pot casserole. Note

If preferred, use 1 cup dried Italian soup bean mix (available from supermarkets and greengrocers) in place of canned beans and lentils. Soak a day ahead. Note

Stock will go cloudy if it boils rapidly. The bouquet garni, French for “garnished bouquet”, is a bundle of herbs usually tied together with string and mainly used to prepare soup, stock, and stews. The bouquet is cooked with the other ingredients, but is removed prior to consumption. Note

Sliced fresh chilli could be added to this. Add more stock or water if soup is too thick. Note

A quick trip to the supermarket will bring you to a vast array of chilled soups, often at good prices. Buy when on special and always have a couple in the freezer for this great dinner idea.

This North African soup recipe is packed full of delicious flavours and spices to create a comforting and hearty winter meal

Traditional pea and ham soup at its best. This recipe uses yellow split peas and gets its flavour from a whole ham bone. Top with croutons for a comforting and warming soup for those colder nights.

Tamarind concentrate or tamarind pulp can be bought from Asian grocers or speciality food stores. Prepare noodles following packet instructions. Note

You can use prepared chopped garlic in this recipe; 1 teaspoon equals 1 clove. Note

Serve with lime wedges, or try adding some baby spinach leaves to broth before serving, if you like. Note

You can use any Asian greens in this recipe. Note

Scallop roe can either be retained or removed. Add extra stock to make the soup the consistency you like. Note