Five favorite summer soups

It's finally, officially, the first day of summer. Let's celebrate with soup! I know, some people relegate soup to the winter menu, but they're missing out on amazing bowls of goodness. Summer soups have it all over winter soups when it comes to color and the flavor of fresh vegetables and fruit.

You can't dish up summer in my part of the world without chowder, so this New England fish chowder (in the top photo) earns a spot on my list of favorite summer soups. Of the many chowder variations you find at local restaurants and in home kitchens, this is the traditional, straight-up soup that takes whatever fish is fresh at your market.

When peaches ripen on the trees in late July and August, I make tons of this chilled peach soup with almonds. Quick and easy, and very low in fat, peach soup is really like a smoothie in a bowl, great for lunch after a long morning walk.

The chevre bisque with tomato, basil, and optional lobster garnish I posted last month zoomed onto my list of favorite soups, and I can't wait to make it with tomatoes from the garden. The lobster garnish really is optional, but some sort of shellfish (shrimp, scallops) gives this creamy, rich soup an elegant finish.

People who live in hot countries eat food with chile, to encourage the body to cast off heat and cool itself down. When the weather is really hot and sticky here in Rhode Island, I don't like to eat heavy food. I crave Thai hot and sour shrimp soup (tom yom koong), light and spicy in its thin broth. This quick and easy version uses ingredients I always have in the pantry.

The winner (and still champion), watermelon gazpacho never fails to satisfy me. Watermelon, cucumber, basil and some seasonings: it's cold, fruity, refreshing, unexpected. Serve it at picnics and barbecues all summer long. Your guests will love it.

Do you make soup in the summer? What's your favorite summer soup?

Comments

I've tasted your watermelon gazpacho, and I bet the others are just as good. I'd eat all of these in the summer, especially the chevre bisque, which sounds divine!

I still love an old recipe I have for a cold cherry soup made with cinnamon and sour cream. It's a pain pitting fresh cherries, and not exactly low fat. But delicious. As I remember, the "stock" is just water.

Kalyn, when you have fresh tomatoes in your garden, try the chevre bisque. It's basically a tomato soup with a little bit of cheese.

Jean, cold cherry soup sounds delicious!