The kids had a snow day here today! Some of us are wondering why!
It was a quiet weekend here, but with weather all over the place. Saturday night, the North Winds howled like banshees, knocking over heavy outdoor furniture, and bending the trees. Sunday, the winds died down, the temperatures rose to the low 50s F. (t-shirt weather for Vermonters), so I puttered around outside for a bit and placed evergreens in my planters in the front yard.
More rain, then snow
Then, the rains started. Although it was still warm, it poured buckets all the rest of the day and into the night. Upon waking this morning, the silence of snow. The world was blanketed in beautiful white, not much, just a couple of inches, but covering all the trees. The kids had a snow day, and I guess there was probably ice conditions when it changed from rain to snow, so that is most likely why the school closings. But, it really was beautiful, especially after looking at a mostly grey landscape for weeks. As pretty as it is, the forecast is for rising temperatures, so it may all disappear by evening, maybe even as I post.
A little holiday cheer
We put up the tree, dug out some lights for the mantle, and I worked on my list of things to do in the next two weeks. It’s pretty long, but I downloaded the new Cher holiday album to set the mood, and thumbed through recipes I plan to make in the very near future.
Simmering soup
All the while, soup bubbled on the back burner, filling the house with winter aromas. I was craving beans from scratch, and had made those first on Saturday, some simple dried pinto beans I soaked for a few hours in salt water then cooked with a large chopped onion in the pressure cooker for 40 minutes. Hardly any hands-on time, but we had enough beans for supper that night, some saved in the container for use this week, and a jar for the freezer, of course.
Soup with beans, yes, please
A vegetable soup with beans is a favorite, especially if all the vegetables are things we like. But it’s also nice to tuck in a few things that are good for us even if they are not our favorites. So beets and sweet potatoes made a modest appearance here.
The un-recipe
This is one of those recipes that I hardly think of as such, it’s really just a technique, using what you have on hand. For this batch, I used rutabaga, sweet potato, Chioggia beets, and cauliflower, along with the pinto beans. I had mushroom stock in the refrigerator, so I used that plus a little water to round things out. Use any stock you like, or just water. Sometimes I add greens of many types at the very end, beet greens, Swiss chard, escarole, spinach, etc. They add color and interest. You can also add a bit of heat in the form of cayenne or crushed red pepper flakes, it’s up to you.
The shallot topping is a family favorite. It adds texture to the soup, flavor of course, and visual interest.
Now, I think I’ll warm up a bowl for lunch, there’s plenty to share!
Winter Bean Soup with Crispy Shallot Topping
- 2 tbsp. olive oil
- 1 large onion, any type, diced
- 2 stalks celery or some celery root, diced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 4 cloves garlic or so, minced
- 1 tsp. fennel seeds, crushed
- 2 tbsp. tomato paste
- 1 quart or so root vegetables (beets, rutabaga, turnip, radishes, parsnips, potatoes, sweet potatoes, etc.) chopped as you like it
- Water or stock to cover everything by an inch or so
- 1 28-oz. can whole peeled tomatoes
- 1 or 2 cups broccoli or cauliflower, chopped, or even some peas or green beans
- 2 cups beans of choice
- 2 heads shallots
In a large stockpot, heat olive oil and add the onions, celery, and carrots. Sauté until the onions are translucent, then add the garlic, fennel seeds, and tomato paste and cook to bloom for about a minute.
Add the root vegetables, tomatoes, and the liquid. Crush the tomatoes with a potato masher, but leave some texture. Season with salt and pepper, bring to a boil, then reduce to the lowest simmer and cook until everything is tender. Add the cauliflower (or other top0of-the-ground veggie) and beans, check the seasoning and liquid level, and continue to simmer until everything is cooked.
In the meantime, slice the shallots into the thinnest of rings. Place in a small saucepan and cover with olive oil. Bring to a simmer, and cook until they are browned. Place on a paper towel to drain, sprinkling with salt. Strain the oil and use for other purposes – to drizzle on the finished soup, to brush on baguette slices, or flavor a vinaigrette. It’s really yummy.
Ladle the soup into bowls, and top with the shallots and a drizzle of the oil.
Listen: Cher and Cyndi
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So perfect for a winter dau.
Thanks Jovina, it was indeed. And keeps delighting!
This looks absolutely divine and giving me the urge to make some pinto beans…which I have had for a couple of weeks now and just haven’t done. Today could be the day!
I love the smell of beans simmering. I used the pressure cooker this time, but the house still smelled wonderful, like the home of my childhood.
We had a lot of beans.
We survive on wintery soup – leftovers into soup. Sunday roast chicken leftovers into soup. Old stale bread into tomato soup and blitzed. I have a question about reusing the oil, Dorothy. How long is it good for (as in safe) to use after frying the shallots when not reheated? Let’s say I want to use it for the base of salad dressing. I’m think salmonella, etc.
Since you are straining out any bits of shallot, and even if you didn’t it is submerged in oil, the oil is safe until it goes rancid naturally.
But don’t worry, it won’t last that long to even think about!
Excellent. Thank you, Dorothy.
I love this soup, Dorothy, it is just my kind of things!
I don’t like winter, and cannot wait for the spring!
Joanna
Already? I don’t usually get the winter blues until about the beginning of February.
Just think of it this way, in another 11 days, the days will start getting longer and the light will return!
That sounds like the perfect day! I love your crispy shallots for topping, that sounds amazing!
Love such hearty, yet not too heavy, soups. The crispy shallots on top is a great idea! 🙂
I would make the soup just to have the shallots Ronit!
lol totally understand! 🙂
😍
Wow that’s a lot of snow!! Warm vegetable soup sounds divine on days like this.
We only ended up with about two inches, which around here isn’t enough to plow the driveway!
I’ve seen snow only a few times in my lifetime, Dorothy; I loved that peaceful quiet feeling that it brings. One of those times was when moving house – not so peaceful on the road, oops!
This soup sounds delish. Even here in summer I love soup. We currently have a glut of tomatoes that I harvest daily. Home grown toms are finding their way into almost every dinner! Especially roasted…
Well, when tomatoes are in season, especially at the tail end, I would definitely make this soup with the fresh!
I’ll make a snowball for you!
Soup looks good! My brain got stuck on “t-shirt weather for Vermonters.” Sometimes I see someone bundled up like the north pole, and I chuckle and know they definitely aren’t from New England. It was in the 40’s here with a brisk wind, and when I was in UPS there was a young guy in shorts, flip flops, and tshirt, and I thought he lives here. 🙂
Our last carrier wore shorts all year long too!
He was pretty cute…
Mmm – I’m feeling warmer already!
From the inside out!
Soups make the best winter meals, in my opinion. 🥘🍃😋
Always! Steaming hot and inviting!🍜
Yes, Ma’am. 👏👏👏
Looks delicious! I just made some bean soup and I’m going to make your Crispy Shallot Topping.
I hope you love it as much as we do!!
Brrrr! Great soup recipe. I love no-recipe soups – it’s mostly what I do in my kitchen! Love the shallot topping.
Thanks! The shallot topping is really tasty.
Yum! I love soup. This one looks absolutely perfect — especially for our cooler weather. Thank you for sharing it.
Thank you for stopping by! Soup so beautifully warms the body and mood!
The first snowfall always brings a smile. I could eat those frizzled shallots on everything.
Thanks Bernie!
As I was eating the soup, I was thinking was a great topping the shallots would be on Mac and cheese!
Always love to add a new soup recipe to the rotation and I have a feeling I’ll be trying this one soon, possibly today. And those shallots? holy moly I can eat them on everything. Looks wonderful even if I have no snow days yet!
Yes, you don’t need a snow day to make these shallots!
How much beans go in the soup. I didnt ser it listed in the ingredients. Sounds easy & yummy. Ty
Thanks so much for noticing! I added two cups of beans to the recipe, but more or less is always up to you with a dish like this!
This looks so good, D, and I bet those shallots are amazing! This is a keeper for sure!
I had the idea that the shallots would be great topping a mac and cheese. Will try it on the granddaughter this week and let you all know, but I can guess!
Oh, I can guess, too. And my grand loves mac & cheese!
Carbs and cheese in any form!
The crispy shallot topping sounds wonderful, and what a great idea to use the leftover oil on bread slices to go with you delicious soup!
That left-over oil was the best part! So delicious brushed on toasted baguette.
Rain plus wind plus snow! 😬 you deserve this hearty soup!
It was deeply appreciated, the fire as well!
Mmm, perfect comfort food. 😊 If there are no beans, it’s not soup in my book! I love the idea of those crispy shallots on top but you are welcome to the snow! 😉
As snowfalls go, this one was a baby. It left just enough on the grass to white everything up.
Yes please! This is my kind of soup!
And the crispy shallots are a perfect addition!
Thanks Nancy! Nothing like a steaming bowl of soup on a cold day!
A wonderful day of holiday cheer, Cher, and yummy soup, Dorothy! I feel like I was right there with you 🤗
You were! I could have sworn I ladled you a bowl of soup!
I’d come over for soup any time with you (or any other meal or beverage) 💗
You’ve got me craving soup, Dorothy! Nothing is better when winter weather arrives, and your bowl looks soooo inviting, especially with the crispy shallots! Did you happen to see Cher perform on TV at the Rockefeller Center tree lighting show? She did “Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home)” with Darlene Love… a throwback to the original when Cher sang backup! I never knew that and they did a great job as a duet.
Great background info! She’s magnificent! At 77, she’s still going strong!
Crazy weather calls for this comforting soup – yummy ingredients!
Thank you Mary! Soup calls them all to the table!
A snowy landscape really is beautiful! Sounds like you had a cozy and happy snow day! 🙂
It was nice! But the snow is already gone, and more rain predicted for the next few days!
Crispy Shallots. A brilliant idea…thank you Dorothy1
You’re very welcome! Always love to share the tasty!
Looks delicious and those shallots!!!!! Love soup season!
I’m always ready for those shallots!
Dorothy, soup is one of my favorites all year long. The colder month soups are soul satisfying. This is a beautiful ‘Snow Day’ soup.
Cheers from Florida.
Velva
Thank you ! It sure takes the edge off a snowy, or rainy, day.