If you eat dinner at our house anytime between September and April there is a very good chance that you will be fed a bowl of soup. We eat this seasonal favourite several times a week, and it’s the perfect way to serve up cold and flu-fighting ingredients like garlic and onion to the people at the table who may not love to see those goodies on the plate. I like to keep a pot simmering on the stove on the weekends, and it’s a great way to make use of the root vegetables and firm fall fruits that are lining the shelves at the market these days.
Soups are also an excellent way to tuck a few extra good-for-you ingredients into your little one’s dinner bowl, and if they aren’t fond of the hearty chunks found swimming in the broth, most soups can be partially to fully pureed instead. If you are a soup loving family, here are five great recipes to serve to your kids this season.
Ham and White Bean Soup
This hearty soup is perfect for making on a Sunday and tucking into the fridge for quick weekday lunches or nourishing family dinners. The ingredients are rustic and popular pantry fare, and if you don’t have a ham hock on hand you could always use a cup of chopped bacon in its place.
Turkey and Rice Soup
Ideal for making use of leftover turkey after Thanksgiving, this soup can also be served all fall with chicken as a replacement protein. It freezes well, so you can make a large batch and store leftovers in the freezer for up to three months.
Squash and Apple Soup
Both of these seasonal superfoods are loaded with Vitamin C and fibre and are perfect for helping to keep the kids healthy during cold and flu season.
Tomato Alphabet Soup
Put a little fun on the plate with this hearty soup that comes together in less than 30 minutes. For a comforting meal the whole family will enjoy, grilled cheese sandwiches make an ideal pairing.
Meatball Minestrone Soup
Bite-sized beef and turkey meatballs add a little heft to this tomato and kale infused soup, which also happens to be packed with hearty pasta and beans. Serve with fresh grated Parmesan and crusty bread pieces for dipping.
A quick note about soup and toddlers: for some, it’s a lot of work eating a bowl of soup. Consider serving it in a small mug and let them ‘drink’ their dinner instead. My own kids were fond of this trick, and still prefer to sip their soup when possible. I’ve also heard of others who scoop the solid ingredients into a soup bowl and put the broth in a cup for easier eating.
Do your toddlers enjoy soup for dinner? If so, what are their favourite kinds?
Tagged under: recipes,soup,turkey soup,hearty and healthy soups,minestrone,tomato soup
Category: seasonal-faves
