Saturday, October 30, 2010

The Soup Exchange is Here!

Welcome to the First Annual Soup Exchange
here at

This collaboration was born from a desire to connect with my sister from across the miles! Doing this blog thing together has been such a fun and bonding experience that we thought, hey, why not throw a party together?
It is that time of year when we start bundling up and our hearts and energy turns to all things Home. Home for me is a funny word. Now my true home is wherever my hubby and rascals are! But, I long for and deeply miss my family, and home to me is whenever we are all together, wherever that happens to be that year! My kiddos don't get to go to trick-or-treating at Auntie Heather's house. We don't get to have them over to hang out and watch Football and gourge ourselves on yummy food.
So, this has become the next best thing! A way to visit each other's homes and share our favorite recipes.
This installment is all about Soups, Stews, Chili, and even side dishes that would like to come along for the party.
Gotta have me some good bread to go with my soup!


I was stumped at first as to just which soup I was going to share today. And then....it came to me! One of my all-time favorite recipes that I hadn't made since last year about this time.
I like to call it...

THIS AIN'T YOUR MAMA'S CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP

It is actually a recipe from Tyler Florence and it is truly like no other noodle soup I have ever had.

First things first...got to set the mood for the evening so why not cook while listening to this?
 Gorgeous! The music, I mean!
And, the recipe doesn't call for any but it's good for my heart, right? Poured myself a little glass of our new favorite red while Mr. Botti serenaded me us.

 And would you believe that while listening to him and drinking that, I was still able to make this?

Nope! You are not seeing things. Those aren't egg noodles, that is cheese filled Tortellini. And no, that isn't chicken. That my friends, is Sausage! All the other typical Noodle soup ingredients are in there...carrots, celery, onions, but this is definitely
Not Your Mama's Chicken Noodle soup!


Now, what goes well with Noodle Soup? Grilled Cheese of course! But, this is not your average grilled cheese.
This is a Mozzarella Grilled Cheese with pesto and fresh roma tomatoes. All done up Panini Style with fresh Sourdough Bread!

I used this handy guy for cooking them up


If you don't have one of these, get one! Grill pans are so great to have, especially when you live where you can't do year round grilling but you want to get those great grill marks!
I use my small cast iron skillet to help give the sandwich some weight and insure even melting.

My mouth is watering just looking at this again!

And here is how we enjoyed this deliciousness that night.
Fire going, sitting on the floor with the ottomans covered with a tablecloth, wine glasses filled (or refilled in my case!) and watching a movie with my most favorite person in the world...my wonderful husband! Between working full-time, completing his MBA, raising kiddos, serving at church and just keeping up on life, these moments with him have become even more precious!


Here is the link to these recipes in Tyler Florence's
episode entitled "Ultimate Rainy Day Menu".
Hosting a Soup Exchange Party is so easy and very fun!
Here are some simple instructions...
1. Invite your favorite people
2. Have them cook up enough soup so that each person takes home at least 2-3 cups worth.
3. Package the soup in disposable tupperware and attach the recipe on top or bring it along to pass around.
4. Set out all of the soups on a table or counter and at the end of the party each person goes home with a wonderful sampling of each kind.
5. When I have hosted these in the past, I have also cooked up some soups and goodies for us to munch on during the party.
6. I like to encourage folks to maybe think of someone they could share some of their soups with...maybe an elderly neighbor, a new mom and dad, someone battling an illness. The work has already been done for you so you can just pass along the goodness!

Let's get to the Exchange! Link up your recipe below and share the Yummy Goodness with the rest of us! And feel free to join us even if you have a recipe from a long ago post.

Now I'm going to head on over to my sister Heather's house to sample her soups and relish in spending some "virtual" time with her in her lovely and welcoming home!
Come join me by hopping over to Gourmet Meals for Less! And be sure to bring your soup with you and link up your recipe there too. It will be twice the fun for folks to see your yummy creations!


Thanks so much for coming to our Soup Exchange and watch for our Next Sister Saturday coming soon where we will be hosting our First Annual Cookie Exchange!




Linking to Foodie Friday!






33 comments:

Debbie said...

Where to begin?? That soup looks absolutely FANTASTIC, and I just have to click to the link to try it. I love cheese tortilli. The sandwich looks delicous too.

But mainly, I LOVE the idea of the soup exchange. It's a great one. And I wonder if putting on some inspirational music would turn me into a better cook. Hmmm... It can't possibly make me a worse one.

Heading to Heather's house with my travel soup mug.

Sue said...

Vanessa, I would love me a gourmet grilled cheese with pesto any day! Garlic is my bestest friend...
The soup looks delish, too. I had a "soup pot luck party" once and got to enjoy some might tasty soups. It's a fun idea and the recipes will always be so varied. Just pair them a salad and some bread, add beer and/or wine, and it's a fun party!
xo Sue

~Kristin~ said...

Vanessa,
Funny how we both posted Chicken Noodle soup huh?
XO

sheri said...

Girl - music, wine and soup?? Were we separated at birth or something? LOL. I have to try this soup - it looks amazing.

Heather@Gourmet Meals for Less said...

Figured we might as well link ours up too! lol

So I'm coming over this afternoon, you better have some of that soup left over. ;o)

Love ya!

P.S. to anyone else linking up, feel free to post at both blogs. It's double the exposure to your great recipe and your own blog!

Karen said...

Wow, Vanessa; the soup and sandwich looks fabulous! I guess I got so carried away making the gumbo - I did not take a picture of it. But, believe me girls it is in the frig and we are going to enjoy it today! There was frost on the pumpkin, this morning at my house.

stephanie said...

Oh my, that looks amazing! I actually just pulled out a very similar soup recipe to make this week! I tried to make a panini with the George Foreman Grill last night. It worked, but I just hate to clean that thing. I need to look into that grill pan!

High Street Cottage said...

Hi Vanessa, we must have had the same cravings ;) thanks for hosting, the sandwich looks tasty I'll have to try that as well, tami

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

Yummy Vanessa! I have linked up an older post of mine. I can't wait to start saving some of these soup recipes!
Hugs,
Penny

NanaDiana said...

Vanessa-My mouth is watering...and it is not even close to lunch time here! Hugs- Diana

Kama said...

Girl!! My mouth is WATERING! Your soup meal looks delicious! and you know what?...I LOVE Penfolds Shiraz-Cab blend too!!

Unknown said...

Vanessa,
Thanks so much for doing all this. What fun!!!
I think the idea of the sandwich with the soup is awesome. Otherwise, I want to eat a whole loaf of bread with my soup!!!
xo
lynn

Teresa@1800 Farmhouse Rd said...

Vanessa, the soup looks good, but that sandwich looks awesome! Gonna have to give that a try. I am gonna try and enter to post one of my favorite soups. (You know I am new at all of this).

Courtney ~ French Country Cottage said...

Hi Vanessa! I really want to join the soup party- if I can get a soup together this weekend I will join in!-Happy Halloween! :)

Teresa@1800 Farmhouse Rd said...

Alrighty, I think I can handle it, but I don't have photos like these other wonderful cooks on here, so gonna put off until next Saturday. Until then, I am just gonna check out the other great recipes.

michelle said...

Oh my gosh you lucky, lucky girl!! What a perfect evening you had, song, food, wine, food, fireplace, food!!! :)

It all looks so good and I am for sure trying that soup!! Thanks for hosting this wonderful party!!!

Have a wonderful Halloween!!!

Unknown said...

I have very little to add that other commenters haven't already said, but YUM! Gourmet grilled cheese and chicken tortellini sausage soup would definitely make my day today! Glad you had the opportunity to spend some time with your sweetie :) Thanks for hosting this AWESOME linky party!

Modern Country Lady said...

How wonderful this looks- I must save the recipe and make this- it looks mouthwateringly tasty!!

Christie said...

Hey Vanessa! Oh, my goodness these soups look amazing! I will try yours next week with those scrumptious looking grilled cheese! My poor family has been eating canned spaghettios and sandwiches for a week, while I get all my stuff together for my little booth...they will love some homemade goodness! I hope my e-mail was okay to send! Ms. Young is very pointed in her words. They have been good for me, but may sound harsh to some. My intentions were good! I just love our visits! I met Liz at Brambleberry Cottage today while out flea marketing for my store! So cool to meet another blogger in this great big world! Have a wonderful weekend and be safe for Halloween!

Deborah said...

Yum-yum!
This looks so delicious Vanessa!
Soup and sandwiches..
such comfort food!
Well done!
Im checking out those recipes..and thank you!

Deborah xo

Sarah @ Modern Country Style said...

I haven't linked up a soup but I have been a-visiting. There are some yummy soups out there today!

I love this post, Vanessa. It's nice to get a snapshot of your life.

Is that Chris Botti's real surname? Don't you laugh every time you hear his name?

Or is that just me thinking it sounds like a nickname for a derriere?!!

Okay...it's just me...?

Sarahx

White and Rust said...

What a fantastic idea!! I love soup, one of my all time favorites. Love them for dinner, and extras for lunch! Can't wait to browse the other recipes!

Leslie {Goodbye, house. Hello, home!} said...

WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY do you live so far away?
WHY?

Leslie {Goodbye, house. Hello, home!} said...

P.S. LOVE the soup and the soup exchange idea!!
Fantastico!

Val said...

First off, Your soup looks amazing and I want my invite the next time...Haha. Your evening eating soup looks like a beautiful experience. We eat with our eyes first and you did everything wonderful!

JodieMo said...

Great job with the Sister Saturdays! All of these soups look fantastic. Thanks for swinging by my blog and for the kind words. You and Heather are awesome!
By the way I love your impromptu panini press! :)

KimMalk said...

Thanks for the invite, Vanessa, I forgot your soup party was this weekend. Your panini sandwiches look wonderful, thanks for the idea, I haven't done this before.

Heather said...

Hi Vanessa, Thanks so much for stopping by the other day... I have now listed you on my sidebar as an Oregon blogger. There are more of us than I thought:)

Your soup idea is terrific and yours looks especially delicious! I don't have anything to post today but am now following so I don't miss the next one. Cheers!

Traci said...

OK Vanessa, you did it! I'm so not a cook so I wasn't even going to comment. I can only cook like really easy things - soup isn't one of those things, so no recipe for me to share but that grilled cheese sandwich has me drooling!!!! I want one!!

Lori @ Projects Plenty said...

I'm HUNGRY! Those recipes look delicious. I am going to have to check out your blog. By the way, thanks for visiting mine and leaving such a nice comment. I really appreciate it!

Lori

P.S. I love red wine... will have to try and find the shiraz cab.

Unknown said...

Vanessa, thanks so much for sharing with Friday Potluck this week! I really love this recipe! :)

Lisa said...

What a delicious hearty looking soup. Love the addition of sausage.

Cheerful said...

its mouth-watering...looks very delicious! yummy! happy weekend! :)