Baby It’s Cold Outside – Throw a Soup Party!

It’s so blustery cold these days. It’s the perfect time to hunker down by the fire and have a few friends over for dinner. What’s warm and cozier than soup? Throw a soup party! As the host you can make a big pot or two of soup. Have your guests bring another pot or two of soup. You can also have guests bring soup accompaniments – some fresh bread and/or a big salad. Set a nice table, set up the food buffet style and put out a bunch of bowls and you are all set. When guests are arriving you can offer a hot mulled wine and maybe some cheese and crackers. The mulled wine is a yummy start to a cozy evening and it will make your house smell wonderful. I love this idea for a warming winter get together with friends. And it couldn’t be easier to throw together.

RECIPE: Mulled Wine

Ingredients

• 2 bottles red wine
• 1 orange
• 10 cloves
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 1 vanilla bean

Instructions

1. Stud the orange with the cloves.
2. Combine studded orange with remainder of the ingredients in a large stainless steel pot.
3. Simmer for 30 minutes. Serve warm in glass mugs.

RECIPE: Loaded Baked Potato Soup

Ingredients

• 4 cups chicken broth
• 6 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 4 green onions, trimmed and sliced
• 1 rib of celery, minced
• 1 medium carrot, minced
• 4 tsp distilled white vinegar
• 1 Tbsp salt
• 1 tsp pepper
• 3 cups of milk mixed with 4 Tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• 8 strips cooked bacon, crumbled

Instructions

1. Bring the first 8 ingredients to boil in a saucepan over medium-high heat.
2. Cover and simmer over medium-low heat for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Whisk milk/flour mixture into saucepan.
4. Stir in cheese and bacon.
5. Simmer uncovered 5-8 minutes, or until thick, stirring constantly.
6. Garnish with scallions or chives if desired.

For more great entertaining tips and recipes please visit Cooking with Z!