There's nothing better than a bowl of hot homemade soup on a cold winter day. So in the American calendar of culinary holidays there is a corresponding «reason» – National Homemade Soup Day, which is celebrated annually on February 4th. Unfortunately, it is not known who established it and when, but hardly anyone will argue that such a holiday is needed.
Of course, in our industrial society with frantic rhythms and innovative technologies, there is nothing easier than buying ready-made products and dishes that do not require long-term preparation, including canned soups. Opened the jar, heated – and done. However, sometimes (or often) we really want fresh homemade chicken noodles or tomato soup, aromatic borscht or rich fish soup... What is « kinder», more soulful and, even more so, healthier than canned homemade soup?
That is why today's holiday – exists to once again remind you of the benefits and quality of home-cooked food and a cozy home where it is prepared with love and effort.
By the way, the history of soup is as old as the history of all cooking. However, soup (French soupe) as a dish in today's understanding, which has become an ordinary food, appeared about five centuries ago. Its appearance was preceded by the appearance of strong dishes in which soup could be cooked. At the same time, in cold countries and regions, soup arose much earlier. But we are talking about soup, and not about cooking, as a way of cooking food for the purpose of heat treating food. After all, – soup is a «set» of ingredients that create a common taste and composition.
In Rus', liquid dishes were first called stews. The word «sup» appeared only during the time of Peter I. Soups became widespread in Europe and Russia by the 18th century, and today it is difficult to name at least one national cuisine in the recipe directory of which there would be no soups. Soup – is the first dish that is prepared both in summer and winter. Soups help you get enough and regain strength, and increase tone.
The history of soup is as old as the history of all cooking (Photo: Liliya Kandrashevich, licensed by Shutterstock.com)
Today there are approximately 150 types of soups in the world, which are divided into more than a thousand types, which still have several options. The main types of soups are classified by serving temperature (cold and hot), calorie content (light and rich), by ingredients (vegetarian and with components of animal origin), by cooking technology and by taste.
Modern supermarkets sell canned soups as well as instant soup concentrates. Depending on the ingredients of the dish and personal preferences, soups are served for breakfast, lunch or dinner. For example, milk soup is also suitable for morning meals, and vegetable and meat soup is more often served during the day or evening.
As for «nationalities» soups, among the brightest representatives of Russian cuisine – are dishes such as borscht and cabbage soup, solyanka and fish soup, okroshka and rassolnik... Many people hear Georgian kharcho soup and Spanish gazpacho. Fans of oriental cuisine know Japanese miso soup, Chinese hogo and Vietnamese pho. And this list can be continued for a long time.
So if you're ready to try something new, then you can always find thousands of soup recipes and, of course, make it at home to enjoy a plate or cup of homemade soup with family or friends, thus celebrating Homemade Soup Day.