Soupy Doodles

The winter seems to be refusing to relent this year. Apart from the shivers and the dry skin, there is the spike in appetites too. Not a good thing to deal with, especially when you are calorie-watching right? The one answer to this conundrum is - some good ol' soup! Vegetarian or non-vegetarian, clear or full-bodied, soups can whet your hunger, give you all the essential nutrients and afford you some lip-smacking taste as well.

"Soups are light for the stomach and at the same time prove to be a healthy diet. Though they are popular all year long, winter is the time when people cannot do without them. Boiled soup with vegetable extract and moong dal soup that is neither spicy nor bland, make for good options. Not only are they suitable for all age groups but they also they have a high nutritive value. When had with brown bread, it makes for delicious nourishment," says Radha Mhaske, owner of 96K and Corn Club.

The former is a Maratha specialty place that serves two clear soups suffused with cinnamon, bay leaves, cloves and garam masala to beat the cold. The lentil soup here teeters on the thin line between watery soup and dal, but leaves a great after taste. The non-veg versions are broths with a lightly flavoured liquid full of natural oils. Such simply simmered chicken and mutton preprations are the best solutions to all episodes of being 'under the weather'.

"Winter is the time when you can avail of rare herbs like basil and parsley, and vegetables like broccolli and zucchini. When added to soups they help in maintaining a healthy diet regime. Moreover, mint and coriander are very effective in tackling health issues. Mushroom, the only vegetable containing vitamin D, is also in demand during winters," says Devyani Parekh of Manali cooking classes. "Also, the Kashmiri Kesar soup helps keep the body warm, active and fresh." So this is the time to tune into the Sweet Corn soup, Roasted Cauliflower soup, Tomato Orange soup, Fresh Onion soup, Carrot and Tomato soup and Chinese Manchow soup, apart from the staple Tomato Cream soup of course.

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