Soups, Stews & Chilis

Thumbnail image for Tortellini Soup with Prosciutto and Spinach

Tortellini Soup with Prosciutto and Spinach

May 1, 2012

Mary Anne here. My generation got to enjoy the very first super-warehouse grocery stores like Sam’s and Costco. Actually, Costco was initially dubbed Price Club so I still find myself calling it that.  But the point is, I began to love a chore I had always hated – grocery shopping. The aisles brimmed with all [...]

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Thumbnail image for Tuscan Sausage Soup with Shell Pasta, Spinach & White Beans

Tuscan Sausage Soup with Shell Pasta, Spinach & White Beans

April 23, 2012

Mariel here. I happen to be one of those people that swears certain pasta shapes just taste better than others. Penne, rigatoni, cavatelli and orecchiete all top my list. Elbow macaroni and farfalle? Ehh, I could take ‘em or leave ‘em. I suspect it has something to do with their meager sauce-sopping abilities. In any [...]

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Thumbnail image for Cajun Shrimp Bisque

Cajun Shrimp Bisque

January 26, 2012

Mariel here. My mom presented luscious-looking Crab Ravioli on Tuesday, so I thought I’d follow suit and whip up my own seafood-inspired treat. While I typically don’t cook cajun anything, I stumbled across this delicious soup on, well, StumbleUpon. That’s the magic of these social bookmarks, they open you up to a whole wide world [...]

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Thumbnail image for Apple and Potato Soup with Brie and Glazed Pecans

Apple and Potato Soup with Brie and Glazed Pecans

January 3, 2012

Mary Anne here. The inspiration for this soup actually came to me in October when the hospital where I work ladled up a delicious blend of apples and fennel for “Food Day.” I wanted to recreate it precisely, but since fennel can be pricey in these parts, I opted to divine the soup with a [...]

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Thumbnail image for Black Bean and Candied Sweet Potato Soup

Black Bean and Candied Sweet Potato Soup

September 29, 2011

Mary Anne here. Black beans were on sale at my local grocer and so I decided to take these beauties out for a spin. Most – if not all – of the bean soups I’ve sampled are pretty predictable in a sort of  monosyllabic way. But as I considered my seasonal culinary options, visions of [...]

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Thumbnail image for Chilled Watermelon Gazpacho and Frozen Watermelon Daiquiris

Chilled Watermelon Gazpacho and Frozen Watermelon Daiquiris

July 21, 2011

Mary Anne here. This summer swelter is stretching straight across the US of A, so I find myself in need of cold comfort. Knowing that the thermometer was on the rise, I loaded up the fridge with a bounty of fresh, crisp fruit and whipped up an old Rittenhouse family summer staple – an enormous fruit [...]

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Thumbnail image for A Boatload of New England Clam Chowder

A Boatload of New England Clam Chowder

June 2, 2011

Mary Anne here. Writing this recipe tonight reminds me of the old expression “Mad dogs and Englishmen” as it’s probably a bit insane whipping up my lazy man’s chowder amidst an early June heat wave. But I do love chowder and since summer just seems to scream for clams, I’ve dutifully transcribed my favorite rendition in [...]

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Thumbnail image for Well-Stocked Vegetable Soup

Well-Stocked Vegetable Soup

April 5, 2011

Mary Anne here. Recently I had an abundance of leftover veggies in my crisper – remnants of the Osso Bucco and Corned Beef and Cabbage I made mid-March. I had dutifully saved all scraps from these veggie-heavy feasts, so transorming the odd leek, cluster of carrots, strained tomato juice and fresh horseradish into yet another [...]

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Thumbnail image for Roasted Red Pepper Soup with Crabmeat

Roasted Red Pepper Soup with Crabmeat

March 10, 2011

Mary Anne here. So I guess it seems I’m in splurge-mode these days, while my dutiful daughter has been shopping her market’s sale shelves. That being said, I do have a pretty good excuse for this pricey dish: I was serving my Osso Bucco to very special guests (Mariel, my niece, and their respective husbands!). My [...]

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Thumbnail image for Hearty Lentil Soup with Smoky Bacon and Sweet Onions

Hearty Lentil Soup with Smoky Bacon and Sweet Onions

February 3, 2011

Mariel here. Have you accounted for all of your frostbitten fingers and toes? Broken a hip slip-sliding away on the sidewalk? Suffered through exploding tires after getting stuck in a mound of snow? Anybody else sick of winter yet? Over the past three weeks, I’ve basically been hibernating, only leaving my apartment to walk the [...]

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Thumbnail image for Broccoli and Cauliflower Soup

Broccoli and Cauliflower Soup

January 25, 2011

Mariel here. As I mentioned in a previous post, I spent the first few weeks of January house-sitting for a family member who owns a lovely little plot in a scenic beach community outside of the city. The off-season is quiet – dead quiet – which afforded me more than enough time to get my [...]

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Thumbnail image for "Creamy" Wild Mushroom Soup

"Creamy" Wild Mushroom Soup

January 13, 2011

Mary Anne here. Recently Mariel created a pasta dish starring Tagliatelle with a Creamy Mushroom Sauce. Since it was tremendously popular with our readers, it stayed top-of-mind…so top-of-mind that I’ve been craving mushrooms ever since. Inspired by the flavor of Mariel’s aforementioned creation, this potage has all of the richness of a cream soup – [...]

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Thumbnail image for Carrot Ginger Soup with Candied Walnuts

Carrot Ginger Soup with Candied Walnuts

January 6, 2011

Mariel here. In anticipation of the post-Christmas blizzard, I scurried to the local grocery store to stock up on supplies. You know, just in case a crowd of wayward travelers landed on my front door in need of a hot meal. I overdid it – to say the least – and ended up with three [...]

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Thumbnail image for Sweet and Smoky Roasted Tomato Soup

Sweet and Smoky Roasted Tomato Soup

December 9, 2010

Mariel here. When I was growing up, tomato soup fell into the same category as mayo, cottage cheese and green olives – totally vile. I couldn’t for the life of me understand how people happily dug into such heinous food crimes. My mother – a lifelong fan of all of the above – was particularly [...]

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Thumbnail image for Hungarian Mushroom Soup

Hungarian Mushroom Soup

November 23, 2010

Mariel here. I recently paid a long-overdue visit to one of my closest childhood friends – a fellow food lover who ferreted me to her favorite spot in the beautiful Black Mountains of North Carolina. We both suffer from eyes-bigger-than-stomach syndrome, so when she insisted I order a full-size portion of Verandah‘s famous Hungarian Mushroom [...]

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Thumbnail image for Leek and Potato Soup with Roasted Pears

Leek and Potato Soup with Roasted Pears

November 4, 2010

Mary Anne here. Okay, I must confess, we’re on a pear tear here at Feast on the Cheap. Having discovered that pears enhance everything from soup to Cinnamon Pear Coffee Cake, we just can’t get enough of this seasonal fruit. Pears add a certain je ne sais quoi to all manner of recipes, so I [...]

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Thumbnail image for Acorn Squash and Pear Soup

Acorn Squash and Pear Soup

October 28, 2010

Mary Anne here. Wandering the aisles of my local market, I noticed that pears were finally out in full force…and were conveniently nestled beside a display of the most beautiful green acorn squash I’ve ever laid eyes upon. Right there in the supermarket, I began conjuring up a soup that wed these disparate beauties and [...]

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Thumbnail image for French Onion Soup

French Onion Soup

October 21, 2010

Mary Anne here. This recipe was created for my youngest son Christopher. Despite his youth, he’s become somewhat of a connoisseur when it comes to French Onion Soup…and I mean connoisseur in the sense that he’s tried every variety out there. He’s eaten the weakest, saltiest, rubber-cheesiest charlatans, but so strong is his love for [...]

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Thumbnail image for Pumpkin-Spiced White Chicken Chili

Pumpkin-Spiced White Chicken Chili

October 18, 2010

Mariel here. This is Sunday food through and through. Whether you’re glued to StatTracker or the TV screen; a die-hard fan of the Lions or Lifetime Originals, this hearty weekend stew is sure to fire up a few warm fuzzies. Slightly sweeter and a little less spicy than your average chili – though you can [...]

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Thumbnail image for Cool Corn Soup Topped with Roasted Corn Salad

Cool Corn Soup Topped with Roasted Corn Salad

August 18, 2010

Mary Anne here. Corn – the sweet cream of summer’s crop – has been a steady muse this August. Luscious and versatile, this soup can be served cold, at room temperature, or toasty warm when fall’s chill finally takes hold. If you do serve this warm, I suggest dishing it up alongside grilled sausages sautéed [...]

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Thumbnail image for Mango Gazpacho Topped with Crab and Avocado

Mango Gazpacho Topped with Crab and Avocado

July 15, 2010

Mary Anne here. This summertime sauna doesn’t appear to be wafting away from the Northeast anytime soon…and slaving over a hot stove has never been so unappealing. I’ve been subsisting on a steady diet of ice cubes and frozen sorbet, but sadly, while my over-heated brain craves cold empty calories, my body tells me it’s [...]

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Thumbnail image for Split Pea Soup with Smoked Pork

Split Pea Soup with Smoked Pork

March 3, 2010

Mary Anne here. Recently Mariel and I received an inquiry from our friends at The Hip Hostess, asking if dried split peas needed to soak overnight before preparing them in a soup. Split Pea Soup! How could I have forgotten to include this family staple on Feast – a dish my mom still whips up [...]

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Thumbnail image for Herbed Croutons

Herbed Croutons

January 6, 2010

Mary Anne here. ‘Tis the season for cleaning out the fridge and addressing those bits of leftovers too good to toss, but not really all that appetizing in their current condition. This was the case with our leftover breads and rolls from Christmas dinner. And as Michael pointed out, turning bread into crumbs was redundant [...]

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Thumbnail image for White Bean, Kale, and Sausage Soup

White Bean, Kale, and Sausage Soup

December 29, 2009

Mary Anne here. Our Cassoulet certainly covers the bean and pork superstition that goes hand in hand with celebrating New Year’s Eve, but we thought to offer an alternative, just in case. And, it’s yet again, another soup. Seriously, Mariel and I just can’t get enough of this winter staple! I created this soup after [...]

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Thumbnail image for Winter Beef Stew with Mushrooms and Turnips

Winter Beef Stew with Mushrooms and Turnips

December 9, 2009

Mariel here. I literally cannot stop making soup. A close friend of mine from college subsists on a steady diet of broth and I’m starting to understand her craze for the crockpot. So, as you’ve probably guessed,  I’m sharing yet another soup recipe, although this dish is a bit heartier  – a cross between a [...]

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Rich Turkey Stock – Leftovers

December 7, 2009

Mary Anne here. In years past, I haven’t had great luck when it came to preparing a homemade stock from the carcass of our Thanksgiving turkey. For whatever reason, my mom’s chicken stock (from her Matzo Ball Soup) works perfectly for chicken, but somehow does not translate when it comes to the mightier bird. I’ve [...]

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Thumbnail image for Crab and Corn Soup

Crab and Corn Soup

November 16, 2009

Mariel here. I’ve noticed a trend recently on our site: my mom and I seem to be having a small love affair with soup. Never one to forgo a fad, I decided to add to our online arsenal and post my mother’s super delicious crab soup, even though it’s not the most traditional winter dish. [...]

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Thumbnail image for A Halloween Brew: Curried Pumpkin Pie Soup

A Halloween Brew: Curried Pumpkin Pie Soup

October 27, 2009

Mary Anne here. I love Halloween. I know it’s not the most health-conscious holiday given the buckets full of sugar we consume, but I adore it and all of its inherent gluttony. It’s simply a great excuse to dress up as your alter ego, rap on neighbors’ doors uninvited and then unabashedly beg for treats. [...]

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Asparagus Soup with Jalapeno

June 8, 2009

Mary Anne here. Last month, following our cooking demo at Bloomingdale’s in White Plains, I wrote a piece about “Stalking the Perfect Asparagus Spear.” I promised that an Asparagus Soup would follow, so with tremendous pleasure (and a dash of humility), I present my hot-off-the-stove rendition of a classic favorite! Basic Tips for the Spears: [...]

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Thumbnail image for Lamb Scotch Broth with Mushrooms and Barley

Lamb Scotch Broth with Mushrooms and Barley

April 13, 2009

Mary Anne here. If you opted for a traditional lamb dinner on Easter and have at least a pound of leftover meat, there’s plenty you can do to stretch your meal…and your money. The following recipe (as well as our Shepherd’s Pie) can be adapted to utilize whatever veggies you served with dinner. I wrote [...]

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Passover: Matzo Ball Soup and Matzo-Choco Cake

April 7, 2009

Mary Anne here. Celebrating the holidays without blowing your grocery budget is truly a challenge. This week we have a two-fer with Passover starting at sundown on Wednesday and ending with Easter on Sunday. Tonight, I’m focusing on Passover and will offer some Easter favorites in a day or two. My family was blessed when [...]

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Red Bean Soup

March 26, 2009

Serves 6 to 8 (4 quarts, which you can freeze in separate containers) Mary Anne here. For the purpose of “Feasting on the Cheap” I concocted a savory-sweet Red Bean Soup recipe loaded with mood boosting Vitamin B-3. The fiber-packed beans are also super filling so this meal won’t leave you running for a bag [...]

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Thumbnail image for Butternut Squash and Sweet Potato Soup

Butternut Squash and Sweet Potato Soup

March 3, 2009

Mary Anne here. This soup can be prepared several days in advance.  It also freezes well for about a month.  A dollop of sour cream or Crème fraiche with some snipped chives is a pretty garnish. You’ll need a large roasting pan for the first steps of this recipe.  Alternatively, if your wallet is thinning [...]

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Thumbnail image for Texas Beef Chili

Texas Beef Chili

February 23, 2009

Mary Anne here. It is with a full heart I pass along this recipe, given to me some years ago by my favorite cousin, Bob.  Sadly, Bob is no longer around to dazzle us with his humor and culinary skills, but hopefully my readers will enjoy his chili legacy. He always recommended serving this dish [...]

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Thumbnail image for Harvest Chicken Soup with Sweet Potatoes and Corn

Harvest Chicken Soup with Sweet Potatoes and Corn

February 23, 2009

Mary Anne here. A hybrid soup and stew (a stoup?), this fragrant, flavorful dish is a bowl-full of fall. It’s also a a seasonal update to our Corn and Crab Chowder, if you’re ever looking for a summer rendition. I’ll get right down to brass tacks so you can get started on what’s become a [...]

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