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[…]
Sweet and Smoky Roasted Tomato Soup
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[…]
Hungarian Mushroom Soup
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[…]
Leek and Potato Soup with Roasted Pears
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[…]
Acorn Squash and Pear Soup
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[…]
French Onion Soup
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[…]
Pumpkin-Spiced White Chicken Chili
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[…]
Cool Corn Soup Topped with Roasted Corn Salad
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[…]
Mango Gazpacho Topped with Crab and Avocado
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[…]
Split Pea Soup with Smoked Pork
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[…]
Herbed Croutons
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[…]
White Bean, Kale, and Sausage Soup
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[…]
Winter Beef Stew with Mushrooms and Turnips
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[…]
Rich Turkey Stock – Leftovers
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[…]
Crab and Corn Soup
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.[…]
A Halloween Brew: Curried Pumpkin Pie Soup
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.[…]
Asparagus Soup with Jalapeno
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:[…]
Lamb Scotch Broth with Mushrooms and Barley
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[…]
Passover: Matzo Ball Soup and Matzo-Choco Cake
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[…]
Red Bean Soup
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[…]