Chickpea Soup for the Soul

For those of you who feel the way I do right now, here are a few soup recipes from my archives that might help soothe your scratchy throats and ease your aches and pains. Even if you're not feeling under the weather, each of these soups makes a light, delicious dinner on a chilly evening.

Stracciatella (from Mark Bittman) - A Roman classic that is as simple to make as it is soothing to eat. You can add cooked chicken and chopped fresh spinach, as the recipe headnote suggests, and even some tiny pasta such as orzo or acini di pepe.

Mexican Chicken Stew (from Dave Lieberman) - Quick, hearty, and with just enough spice to help open up those sinuses. The leftovers are even better, especially when topped with shredded sharp cheddar cheese.

Ultimate Chickpea Noodle Soup (from Heidi Swanson) - A delicious Italian-inspired recipe for the vegetarians out there. I like to garnish it with grated Parmesan and chopped Italian parsley.

(Pictured above is a simple chicken soup I made several months ago with egg crepes and lots of chopped fresh parsley, dill, and tarragon.)