I have two favorites. One I've mastered and made my own. The other I have to try to make at home.
My masterpiece is a copycat Zuppa Tuscana soup from Olive Garden. When I make it, I make about 20 quarts.
1 pound of Sage Sausage
1 pound of Hot Italian Sausage
1 pound of Original Sausage
4 strips of Bacon, diced.
6 to 8 Potatoes, sliced thinly
1 large Onion, diced
1 bunch of Kale, stripped and torn into pieces
1 bulb of Garlic
1 TBsp Olive Oil
1 tsp Cayenne Pepper
4 cups of Chicken Stock/Broth
1 quart of Heavy Whipping Cream
1 stick of Butter (8 TBsp)
1 or 2 cups of grated Parmesan-Romano cheese blend
Water
First, preheat the oven at 350, and place the garlic on a baking sheet, drizzle the olive oil and roast for about ten minutes. Meanwhile, add the bacon to the stock pot, and cook for about five or six minutes. Then add the sausuage. Cook for about ten minutes. Add the onion, cook until translucent. The meats should be cooked and browned by now, and the garlic should be done. Add the garlic to the pot with the chicken stock and potatoes. Fill to 3/4 the top with water (everything should be covered by the liquid. Add the Cayenne Pepper. Cook on high, while covered for about 30 minutes.
Once the potatoes are done, reduce to a low heat and add the heavy cream and butter, give everything a good stir and cover. Cook for about 15 minutes. Add the cheese, cook for about ten minutes. Add the Kale, cook for about two to five minutes. Stir the bottom of the pot occasionally to ensure nothing sticks/burns. Serve and add a sprinkle of more cheese to the top.
I'll eat like four bowls of this soup in one sitting. One pot might last a week.
My second favorite soup is Miso soup. For this soup I know that I"ll need:
Dashi (a fish stock)
Green Onion
Shiitake Mushrooms
Red Bean paste?
Soy Sauce?
And beyond that, I'm not sure. I'll have to find a recipe again. I love this soup so much that I'd eat it every morning, just like the Japanese do! I order it every time I go to a Japanese restaurant. Sadly, I haven't had it in about a year since that's when my budget dropped through the floor.
