Four Chicken Soup Recipes

Vegetable Soups:

French Onion Soup by Judith Finlayson
On a chilly day, there's nothing more appetizing than a bowl of steaming hot onion soup, bubbling away under a blanket of browned cheese. Normally, caramelizing the onions for this masterpiece is a laborious process that can involve a whole lot of stirring. In this slow cooker version, you get to skip that part. Plus, veggie broth subs in for beef broth in this recipe, making it vegetarian-friendly.

Ginger Carrot Soup by Myra Goodman
The natural sweetness of carrots spiked with orange, ginger and a whisper of nutmeg makes this soup beautifully delicious. The carrots give the soup a rich, full-bodied texture, as well as a big helping of health-enhancing antioxidants and vitamin A. You can also eat this soup cold, and either way intense carrot flavor and brilliant orange color are just what the doctor ordered. Another great meatless option.

Wild Mushroom Soup by Lidia Bastianich and Jay Jacobs
Scads of wild mushrooms create an unbelievably hearty and earthy soup. This particular recipe is typical of the Istria region of Italy.

Minestone by Frank Pelligrino
This classic soup is a jumble of all kinds of vegetables and is somehow light and substantial at the same time. You can adjust the kinds of vegetables depending on what you have, and what time of year it is. A dusting of freshly grated Pecorino Romano is the perfect finishing touch.

Also of interest: Slow cooker recipes.