Photo by Heidi Harris
As the days grow shorter and the crisp chill of winter sets in, there’s a certain magic in lighting a crackling fire and embracing the season’s cozy comforts. It’s the perfect time to gather loved ones around your table for a warm, candlelit dinner, and what better way to welcome them than with a hearty, soul-satisfying soup? While many soups are simple, all-in-one meals crafted from a humble blend of meats, vegetables, and seasonings, they offer endless opportunities for creativity. Soup is more than just nourishment—it’s an invitation to indulge in a multi-sensory experience, with enticing aromas, rich flavors, and comforting textures that evoke feelings of warmth and connection. No other dish has the same ability to make us feel cared for and nurtured, as if wrapped in a cozy embrace with each spoonful.
Elevate the experience and make it more memorable by serving your soup tableside from a beautiful tureen or a gleaming copper pot, letting the steam billow and rise as your guests watch in anticipation while you ladle each portion into bowls. A simple gesture like passing around a ramekin of freshly chopped parsley for guests to garnish their dish adds a personal touch, inviting them to customize their soup just the way they like it. And of course, what’s a bowl of soup without a generous hunk of crusty bread and a glass of robust wine to round out the meal?
This winter, instead of laboring over a complicated dinner party, why not simplify things and focus on creating one unforgettable dish? A pot of well-crafted, flavorful soup can be a showstopper all on its own. It’s proof that even the simplest of meals—when prepared with love and care—can offer an extraordinary dining experience. So, let your soup be the star of the evening, and let it bring warmth and joy to both your table and your guests.
Five Crowd-Pleasing Soup Recipes
Photo by Heidi Harris
Photo by Heidi Harris
Photo by Heidi Harris
Photo by Heidi Harris
Photo by Heidi Harris
By Joseph Marini
Photography by Heidi Harris
Excerpted from Mastering the Art of Entertaining (SparkPress, 2023).
“I’m often asked why I love entertaining so much. It took me a long time to understand the answer to this. Fitting in, even sometimes within a family, can be difficult. By entertaining, I was allowing myself to be vulnerable enough to be seen for who I was. It allowed me to create a group of family and friends that would truly see and appreciate my authenticity. I now realize the rewards of living intentionally and opening up m home (and heart) to bring people together over food.”
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