As the winter season approaches, bringing with it colder temperatures and shorter days, the desire for comforting and heartwarming meals intensifies. 

Soups and stews emerge as culinary saviours, offering a symphony of flavours, aromas, and textures that soothe the soul and nourish the body.

Here are 4 warming and soothing soups you need to make this winter season:

1. Hearty French Onion Soup: A Classic for a Reason

French onion soup, a timeless classic, embodies the essence of winter comfort. Its rich, savoury broth, infused with caramelized onions and topped with a gooey layer of melted cheese, is a symphony of flavours that warms the heart and delights the palate. It’s a classic for a reason – and that reason is that this is a soup filled with nutrition to keep you warm through the cold nights.

[Recipe: Hearty French Onion Soup]

2. Chicken Noodle Soup: A Timeless Comfort Food

Chicken noodle soup, a beacon of nostalgia and warmth, is a staple in many households during the winter months. Its delicate broth, filled with tender chicken pieces and comforting noodles, provides a sense of ease and familiarity, reminiscent of childhood memories and cozy evenings. Many have grown up devouring this soup as a child, and it sure brings back memories of childhood whenever we make it now. It gives us a feeling of warmth, coziness, and happiness that we felt when we were young – a feeling that is uncommon in the current fast-paced lifestyle. 

[Recipe: Chicken Noodle Soup]

3. Slow Cooker Beef Stew: A Culinary Symphony of Flavors

Slow cooker beef stew, a symphony of flavours simmered to perfection, is a testament to the power of patient cooking. Its tender chunks of beef, nestled in a rich and flavorful sauce infused with aromatic vegetables and herbs, create a culinary masterpiece that warms the body and satisfies the soul. When you are looking for a dinner that is both nutritious and fulfilling, this is the perfect stew to make. Because you’ve slow-cooked this for around 4 hours, the flavours and nutrients have seeped into the beef, leaving you craving more after each bite. 

[Recipe: Slow Cooker Beef Stew]

4. Thai Coconut Curry Soup: A Tropical Twist on Winter Comfort

Thai coconut curry soup, a tropical twist on winter comfort, brings a touch of exotic warmth to the chilly season. Its creamy coconut milk base, infused with fragrant curry spices and tender vegetables, provides a flavorful escape from traditional winter fare. This is the perfect substitute for when you are craving curry, but would rather enjoy it on its own than with rice. The creamy soup brings out the Thai curry flavours and spices and it is a perfect soup for when you are feeling cold inside. Because curry is the slightest bit spicy, this soup warms you up from the inside – the perfect soup for a winter night.

[Recipe: Thai Coconut Chicken Soup]

These four soul-warming soups and stews represent just a glimpse into the vast culinary landscape of winter comfort food. With each spoonful, these dishes offer a symphony of flavours, aromas, and textures that soothe the soul, nourish the body, and create memories that linger long after the last bite.