Soups and Salads

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  Soups and salads whet the appetite for your main course, hinting at what’s to come. Of course, with delicious recipes like these, "what’s to come" might be a second serving of soup or salad.

Antipasto Salad with Lemon-White Balsamic Vinaigrette An antipasto salad can be the beginning of an Italian meal or a meal in itself. This special salad is loaded with salami, mozzarella, artichoke hearts, mushrooms and olives and is tossed with a tangy lemon-white balsamic vinaigrette.More.	Asian Meatball Soup Chicken noodle soup is winter comfort food, and this version takes an Asian turn with hints of lime, ginger, soy sauce and chile sauce.More.
Asian Salad with Warm Hoisin Vinaigrette This vibrant salad inspired by the flavors of Asia is created with the ideal mix of greens from The Chef’s Garden.More.	Baby Greens with Lobster, Avocado, Pink Grapefruit and Brown Sugar Bacon A perfect and memorable beginning for a special dinner.More.
Baby Spinach Salad with Strawberries Spinach and strawberry salads abound in the spring, but here’s one with a twist from warm vinaigrette that’s salty with crisp pancetta and sweet from strawberry jam.More.	Bean, Bacon and Chicken Soup White Chili is often served during our family tree trimming festivities each holiday. This Bean, Bacon and Chicken Soup is similar, but a bit heartier.More.
Black Bean and Kielbasa Chili Chili is a winter standard, but I tire of the traditional kidney bean laden version. So I devised this Black Bean and Kielbasa Chili as a tasty alternative.More.	Black Bean and Yellow Rice Salads Black beans and yellow rice are a classic combination, but when the weather heats up the steaming duo is replaced on the menu by cooler sides.  But why not enjoy your black beans and rice in the summer as special side dish salads?More.
Blue Crab and Summer Vegetable Soup The key to this soup is the quality of the crab stock. Once you have a delicious stock, you can add all kinds of fresh vegetables from your summer garden.More.	Bouquet of Caesar Salad with Shrimp and Red Bell Peppers A French twist on the classic salad from Chef José Gutierrez.More.
Bourbon Salmon Salad This salmon can be grilled or roasted, and is delicious paired with crisp greens, a honey-mustard dressing and some crunchy, sweet honey roasted cashews.More.	Butternut Squash and Black Bean Chili If you’re looking for a way to incorporate more meatless meals into your weekly menus, this spicy Butternut Squash and Black Bean Chili is hearty enough that the most avid meat eater won’t miss the meat.More.
C.C.'s Caesar Salad Caesar Salad has been a favorite for years, and today it’s served everywhere from top-notch restaurants to the fast food drive through. My 12-year-old daughter, C.C., is a fan of the combination of creamy dressing and crisp romaine and has learned to whip up this simple version.More.	Calypso Chopped Salad with Pineapple-Citrus Dressing Chopped salads are in vogue at restaurants around the country, and they’re fun to prepare at home. This Calypso Chopped Salad is packed with tropical flavors and is dressed with a creamy Pineapple-Citrus Dressing. The list of ingredients is long, but preparation is a snap.More.
Catfish Stew I’ve sampled fish stews up and down the Southeastern coast at seafood restaurants and family fish fries and the aromatic combination of onions, tomatoes, potatoes and fresh fish is as comforting to me as Grandma’s vegetable soup.More.	Cheesy Potato Soup If your looking at some cold, wet weather, I bet your family will enjoy this simple, comforting meal as much as mine did! If you have some fresh chives or green onions on hand, chop some up and scatter them over the top of each serving.More.
Chicken Enchilada Soup I devised my recipe for Chicken Enchilada Soup as a way to satisfy my craving for the flavors of the dish without all the work.More.	Chicken Rice Porridge If chicken soup is “Jewish penicillin” then Chicken Rice Porridge could be described as “Asian penicillin.” This dish of rice that’s simmered until it begins to dissolve in a flavorful broth with chunks of chicken could not be more comforting, making it a favorite of children and adults alike.More.
Chicken Seafood Gumbo The joy of gumbo is that it welcomes most any ingredient.More.	Chickpea Cucumber Salad Chilling makes all the difference in this great salad. And the generous splash of olive oil and lemon juice brings out all the great veggie flavors.More.
Chilled Avocado-Lime Soup Winter is usually thought of as soup season, but a cold soup in the summer can be a refreshing change of pace.More.	Chilled Cranberry Soup Cranberries are a holiday favorite, and this quick and easy Chilled Cranberry Soup turns just a few ingredients into a yummy starter for a holiday brunch or dinner.More.
Chilled Red Plum Soup  More.	Chilled Soup Chartreuse If you’re tired of salads as your dinner party first course, think chilled soup. Since the soup must be made ahead in order to chill completely, it frees you up at dinner time to attend to other details and enjoy your guests.More.
Chinese Chicken Salad Asian-inspired salads are available at restaurants of all varieties – from those with white tablecloths to those with drive-through windows. Bring the flavor home with this easy Chinese Chicken Salad.More.	Citrus Salad with Champagne Vinaigrette While citrus fruits are available year-round, the first true in-season oranges hit stores in November, followed closely by big, juicy grapefruits. When they’re at their peak, you’ll see citrus fruits frequently on the menu at my house.More.
Classic Catfish Chowder U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish is the freshest, healthiest fish available. It is raised in pure, freshwater ponds and fed a strict diet of nutritious grains - which not only ensures quality, but also gives U.S. Catfish a perfectly mild flavor that works in almost any recipe.More.	Corn and Edamame Succotash with Hazelnuts This recipe proves you can take something commonplace, like the combination of corn and lima beans known as succotash, and make it burst with flavor.More.
Cranberry "Panna Cotta" on Mixed Greens with Cranberry-Port Vinaigrette Many American holiday meals include some sort of gelatin mold, especially those served on Thanksgiving and Christmas. Here’s an updated way to include a giggly salad on your holiday table with a bit of a gourmet twist.More.	Cream of Asparagus Soup Fresh asparagus, onions, leeks and celery are pureed with chicken stock in this delicious soup topped off with heavy cream.More.
Cream of Broccoli Soup Onions, leeks, celery and broccoli cooked in chicken broth are the stars in this roux-thickened soup.More.	Creamy Onion Soup The key to the flavor of this soup is taking your time when sautéing the onions. Nearly caramelized onions impart richness, which is heightened by the addition of heavy cream and two types of cheese.More.
Crispy, Crunchy Chopped Salad Everyone loves a chopped salad, even those who don’t usually like salad. The combination of crisp bits of lettuce with a bevy of textures and flavors just can’t be underestimated.More.	Crunchy Cran-Apple Salad Cranberries are a holiday tradition, whether they decorate the Christmas tree or adorn the holiday turkey in the form of cranberry sauce. This salad features dried cranberries in a delicious, light addition to your next holiday meal.More.
Cucumber-Cantaloupe Salad with Orange-Vanilla Syrup Cool cantaloupe is delicious served at breakfast or brunch, but add fresh cucumber and flavor-infused orange syrup and you’ve got something truly special.More.	Cucumber-Peanut Salad One of my favorite Thai appetizers is the fried curried fish balls called Thot-Mun. While they’re a bit of trouble for the home cook, the delicious cucumber salad that usually accompanies them is part of my enjoyment of the dish, and I often let it stand alone as a delicious salad course.More.
Curried Red Bell Pepper Soup If you’re looking for a recipe that offers versatile serving options, this Curried Red Bell Pepper Soup fills the bill. It is delicious served hot, cold or at room temperature. It's elegant enough to start off a gourmet dinner, but equally welcome at your next tailgate party.More.	Farm Stand Stew If a trip to a produce stand or a back-yard bumper crop has you searching for something to do with the season’s bounty, consider this recipe for Farm Stand Stew.More.
Faux Pho One sip of real Vietnamese Pho offers your taste buds a spectrum flavors. But real Pho can take hours to prepare. My daughter helped me come up with an easy version that she prepares often for the family.More.	Fennel and Orange Salad  More.
Fettuccine Corn Salad When summer’s sweet corn is abundant at farm stands and supermarkets, I just can’t get enough of it. But after a few weeks of corn on the cob, I look for other ways to enjoy it.More.	Freezer Aisle Corn Chowder Before soup season comes to a halt, I wanted to share this delicious corn chowder. I developed the recipe to take advantage of frozen convenience products.More.
French Lentil Soup  More.	Garlic Soup Some people love garlic, others don’t. But few would pass on a creamy bowl of this delicious Garlic Soup. Yes, two cups of garlic is a lot. But the flavor of the garlic mellows as it simmers with leeks, onion and chicken broth.More.
Glorious Beef Stew Beef stew was company food when I was growing up. Although the hearty winter dish uses inexpensive stew beef, my mother’s version was company worthy.More.	Great Greek Salad Greek salads are pizzeria standards. Garnished with black Greek olives and pepperoncini peppers, tossed in tangy vinaigrette and sprinkled with feta cheese, they offer a delicious combination of flavors and textures – crisp, cool, salty and tart.More.
Greek Tortellini Salad I love a good Greek salad, so I sought a way to get the flavor experience without all the lettuce. My recipe uses the ingredients from the classic to net you a delicious pasta salad.More.	Green Bean Salad with Bacon and Walnuts Fresh green beans are plentiful year round and they’re delicious in this warm salad. Serve it as part of an all-salad summer menu, but hang on to the recipe to serve as a side dish during the holidays. It’s a great vegetable accompaniment to Thanksgiving turkey or Christmas prime rib.More.
Green Beans Vinaigrette with Pine Nuts Green beans are an ever-present side dish on the holiday table, even though their peak season winds down in October. This can create problems for the home chef who doesn’t have access to specialty produce vendors, as the out-of-season supermarket green beans can be tough and flavorless.More.	Green Gazpacho Gazpacho is a wonderful cold soup that’s usually made of tomatoes, cucumbers, onions and bell peppers. This green version is packed with cool cucumbers and it’s a great way to start a summer meal.More.
Green Jacket Salad This salad is unique to Augusta. But you don’t have to come to Augusta to give this one a try.More.	Green Mango Salad with Grilled Beef
Grilled Chicken Salad I take advantage of the grill feature on my range and my Viking outdoor grill frequently. While it's often used to quickly cook up the main dish, I also love to grill up tasty side dishes and smoky flavored vegetables.More.	Grilled Tuna Nicoise Salad This Grilled Tuna Nicoise Salad takes the traditional salad of canned tuna, boiled new potatoes, steamed green beans and Nicoise olives and turns it into a grilled delight.More.
Grilled Two-Potato Salad I’ve played around with sweet potato salad recipes for some time, and am sharing my favorite version here. It includes both sweet and Yukon gold potatoes and instead of a cloying mayonnaise-based dressing, is tossed with a simple mixture of cider vinegar, olive oil, Creole mustard and honey.More.	Grilled Vegetable Gazpacho Gazpacho, a chilled vegetable soup that originated in Spain , has been a summertime treat at my house for years. Chunky with tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper and onion, I like to keep a pitcher in the refrigerator for a cooling summer snack.More.
Heirloom Potato & Bean Stew	Hot and Sour Soup Recipe Hot and Sour Soup is an ever-present starter on Chinese menus, but few attempt to make it at home. This short-cut version uses ingredients found at any supermarket and the prep time is under 20 minutes.More.
Iceberg Wedge Salad with Blue-Ranch Dressing The return of the iceberg wedge salad to restaurant menus is a trend I embrace, especially when that cold wedge of lettuce is drizzled with flavorful blue cheese dressing.More.	Italian Seafood Stew While Italian soups are often referred to as “peasant food,” a traditional Italian Seafood Stew defies the label and is a rich man’s feast of flavors. The flavor base for my Italian Seafood Stew is a sauté of crushed red pepper flakes, anchovy fillets, garlic and a bay leaf.More.
Italian White Bean Salad This hearty salad delivers an impressive array of Italian favors beginning with the white cannellini beans that are common in Tuscan cuisine.More.	Jamaican Jerk Catfish Salad U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish is the freshest, healthiest fish available. It is raised in pure, freshwater ponds and fed a strict diet of nutritious grains - which not only ensures quality, but also gives U.S. Catfish a perfectly mild flavor that works in almost any recipe.More.
Kabocha Soup with Pancetta and Herbs  More.	Lamb and Black Bean Chili Mole Chili is a wonderful dish for cooks who like to experiment in the kitchen. A little of this, a little of that, and you may just cook up a signature chili all your own.More.
Lentil and Barley Soup With the first crisp autumn days FINALLY arriving, this Lentil Barley Soup is more likely to appear on our menu than those meat-heavy meals. It is healthy, filling and very lowfat. I like to serve it with a big green salad and a crusty baguette.More.	Margarita Shrimp Salad This wonderful main dish salad is as pretty as it is delicious. If you are short on time, garnish with packaged tortilla chips instead of frying your own. If you have the time to fry your own tortillas though, it’s worth it!More.
Mexican Chicken Salad Mexican Chicken Salad is a delicious main dish salad that’s perfect for summer dining. Crispy, hot chicken tops a cool salad of mixed greens, corn, black olives, tomatoes and green onions.More.	Minute Minestrone Minestrone soup is a traditional Italian soup that marries a tomato base with loads of vegetables. While my version usually includes browned Italian sausage, this a vegetarian soup.More.
Mixed Greens with Orange, Olive and Fig Dressing Winter salads can seem quite dull given the lack of spring and summer fruits and vegetables. But you can also look at a winter salad as a reason to feature the season’s best citrus fruits.More.	Mixed Greens with Strawberry Cream Dressing When strawberries are in season, this is creamy dressing is my favorite way to dress crispy spring salad greens. And, the dressing is very easy to whip up with my Viking blender.More.
Moroccan Carrot Salad The flavors of Moroccan cuisine often include the combination of sweet and savory, and a fine example of this complex balance is Moroccan Carrot Salad.More.	Mushroom Bisque Heavenly, divine, ethereal and delicate are all words I would use to describe the perfect Mushroom Bisque. Could such distinction actually be given to a bowl of soup?More.
Okra Catfish Stew U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish is the freshest, healthiest fish available. It is raised in pure, freshwater ponds and fed a strict diet of nutritious grains - which not only ensures quality, but also gives U.S. Catfish a perfectly mild flavor that works in almost any recipe.More.	Orzo Tabbouleh Tabbouleh is popular throughout the Middle East and Mediterranean , and is usually a combination of cooked bulgur, chopped parsley and green onion. In a moment of experimentation, I substituted cooked orzo pasta for the bulgur and came up with a delicious summer side salad.More.
Oysters Rockefeller Soup Oysters Rockefeller is a classic combination of oysters on the half shell bathed in a luscious green sauce, sprinkled with a little cheese and broiled until bubbly. Here, the combination of ingredients is simmered together for a soup that has all the flavor of the original dish.More.	Pasta e Fagioli Pasta e Fagioli is mainstay on Italian restaurant menus. My recipe combines fresh ingredients with convenience products for a quick, yet homemade main dish.More.
Pazole Blanco While White Chili has been the rage in the recipe world for the past few years, there’s another warm autumn stew with a Mexican accent that has equal merit.More.	Perfect Potato Soup I call this recipe "perfect potato soup" because it’s perfectly delicious, perfectly simple to prepare and my perfectly picky children love it.More.
Potato-Artichoke Salad My recipe for Potato-Artichoke Salad has become a picnic favorite, replacing the classic, mayonnaise-laden version. Its flavor is fresher, and it’s a cinch to prepare.More.	Puree of Split Pea
Red-Skinned Potato Salad	Roasted Butternut Squash Salad My friend described a warm butternut squash salad that he’d been served and asked if I could make one. Why not? I love the interplay of hot and cold plus the sweet butternut squash, tart dried cranberries, nutty Parmesan, and bitter arugula.More.
Roasted Pumpkin Bisque in a Pumpkin Tureen This presentation will turn heads! Steaming, silky smooth pumpkin bisque is served inside a "tureen" made from a hollowed pumpkin. Be sure to warm the pumpkin before adding the bisque so that it will retain the proper serving temperature.More.	Salad Greens with Pumpernickel Croutons, Shaved Parmesan and Pumpkin Seed Oil Vinaigrette Each element in this salad is impressive. Crisp greens are lightly dressed with a savory vinaigrette made from roasted garlic, bright lemon and savory pumpkin seed oil.More.
Seafood Gumbo However you chose to make your gumbo, this recipe is a great way to feed a large crowd or a small family, as it doubles easily and freezes beautifully.More.	Shrimp and Lemongrass Soup Shrimp and Lemongrass Soup, more traditionally known as Tom Yum Goong, is a delicious starter or perfect served with rice for a light lunch or dinner. More.
Shrimp and Orzo Salad Pasta salad is a picnic staple, but the classic combination of pasta and vegetables tossed in vinaigrette can get a little humdrum. Here’s a Greek-inspired version that packs a punch with crumbled feta cheese, fresh basil vinaigrette and smoky grilled shrimp.More.	Spanish Bean Soup Friends often come to me for help in streamlining favorite recipes with exhaustive preparations, and this Spanish Bean Soup is the result of my short-cut savvy.More.
Spanish-Inspired Chickpea Salad Bean salads are popular summer cookout fare, and this Spanish-inspired Chickpea Salad is an alternative to the usual tangy, sweet bean salad.More.	Special Cider Salad Set the tone for a fantastic autumn meal with this Special Cider Salad and your guests will be clamoring for the recipe. This combination of crisp greens, crunchy apple, spiced pecans, crumbled blue cheese and cider vinaigrette is a salad lover’s "heaven on a plate."More.
Spinach Salad with Bacon-Wrapped Scallops and Sweet Bacon Vinaigrette Wilted spinach salads are a more elegant rendition of the classic, and my Spinach Salad with Bacon-Wrapped Scallops and Sweet Bacon Vinaigrette brings the salad into the new millennium.More.	Squash Bisque The flavor of squash seasoned with tarragon is a match made in heaven, and a combination I’d never dreamed of. I’ve taken the two and combined them in this luscious Squash Bisque.More.
Steak and Wild Rice Salad Steak and Wild Rice Salad is a dish I came up with when I was seeking something to do with leftover flank steak and cooked long grain and wild rice.More.	Stracciatelli Chicken soup is often referred to as "Jewish penicillin," but at my house the cure-all usually comes with an Italian accent. Stracciatelli (also known as rag soup) is a family favorite, and it’s a snap to prepare with store-bought reduced-sodium chicken broth.More.
Sunny Couscous Salad This salad gets its sunny flavor from a double dose of freshly squeezed orange juice. The orange juice and some spices make this a salad recipe you’ll turn to often.More.	Sweet Potato Soup Orange vegetables abound on the autumn table. From winter squash to sweet potatoes, the season’s produce provides an earthy sweetness to the dining experience.More.
Tarragon Shrimp Salad Shrimp salad is really a “no recipe” recipe. You can simply toss some chopped cooked shrimp with mayonnaise and whatever seasonings you like, and you’ve got shrimp salad.More.	Thai Beef Salad with Lettuce Cups and Sticky Rice
Thai Coconut Chicken Soup with Ginger Thai Coconut Chicken Soup with Ginger is a quick and easy introduction to the flavors of Thai cooking.More.	Tom Kha Gai and Steamed Jasmine Rice This classic Thai soup marries coconut, chicken, and other Thai flavors in a mouth-watering sweet and spicy soup.More.
Tortellini and Tomato Soup When the winter chill sets in, I’m always in search of a new recipe for soup. This recipe for Tortellini and Tomato Soup is good any time of year, since it’s hearty but not too heavy.More.	Turkey and Wild Rice Soup If the holidays have left you with a stash of cooked turkey in the freezer, this recipe for warm and hearty Turkey and Wild Rice Soup will make good use of it.More.
Tuscan Bean Soup Making hearty bean soups used to require hours in front of the stove. You’d simmer chicken bones for broth and cook dried beans for hours – all before you even began preparing the actual soup. With the help of canned products, soup gets a whole lot easier but doesn’t have to lose its homemade flavor.More.	Vichyssoise This refreshing potato and leek soup features leeks and onions sweated in butter, then simmered in chicken broth with thinly sliced potatoes.More.
Vietnamese Catfish, Shrimp and Cellophane Noodle Soup Almost every culture finds a way to turn fish and seafood into a delicious soup, and the Vietnamese are no different. This Vietnamese Catfish, Shrimp and Cellophane Noodle Soup combines U.S. farm-raised catfish and shrimp in a very flavorful broth.More.	Vietnamese Chicken Salad This salad is delicious served as part of our Vietnamese Soup and Sandwich Supper, or it can be served alone in the summer as a delicious lunch salad or light supper.More.
Warm Asparagus Salad with Country Ham Vinaigrette My recipe for Warm Asparagus Salad takes your standard steamed asparagus to new heights as a first course with a warm Country Ham Vinaigrette.More.	Warm Salad Caprese on Romaine Chiffonade Caprese Salad has become part of the American culinary landscape. This classic Italian combination of fresh ripe tomatoes, mozzarella and basil now appears on the menus of upscale restaurants and chains alike.More.
White Bean, Arugula and Shrimp Salad This salad combines creamy cannellini beans with crisp shrimp and peppery Arugula for a warm salad that’s packed with flavor. Serve as a main dish salad or as an accompaniment to an entrée of grilled fish or chicken.More.	White Chili White Chili is perfect ladled into bowls and topped with grated Monterey Jack or Cheddar cheese and a dollop of sour cream. Serve with some corn muffins or tortilla chips and a tossed salad for a hearty autumn meal.More.
Wild Rice Salad This delicious Wild Rice Salad is the perfect accompaniment to any dish.More.	Winter Salad with Persimmons, Dates, Spiced Walnuts and Sherry Vinaigrette If you thought most persimmons were too bitter to eat, you haven’t had a perfectly ripe and wonderfully sweet persimmon. Neither had I, until a recent trip to San Francisco’s Saturday farmer’s market at the Ferry Building.More.
Yellow Tomato Gazpacho with Parsley Croutons This chilled Yellow Tomato Gazpacho with Parsley Croutons is the perfect start to a delicious summertime meal.More.