Warm and hearty soups are perfect for lunch and can satisfy hunger and provide energy for the day. While classic soups like tomato and chicken noodle are delicious, it’s always fun to try new global-inspired recipes. This article provides five soup recipes from different parts of the world such as Thai Tom Kha Gai, Spanish Gazpacho, Indian Dal, Mexican Tortilla Soup, and Japanese Miso Soup. These recipes offer a range of flavors and spices to add variety to lunchtime, whether you’re in the mood for something light and refreshing or creamy and spicy.
Spice Up Your Lunch with These Global-Inspired Soup Recipes
Introduction
When it comes to lunch, there’s nothing quite like a warm and hearty soup to satisfy your hunger and give you the energy you need to power through the rest of your day. While classics like tomato soup or chicken noodle are always delicious, sometimes it’s fun to try something new and explore cuisines from around the world.
In this article, we’ll be sharing five soup recipes from different corners of the globe that are sure to add some spice and variety to your lunch routine. Whether you’re in the mood for something creamy and spicy, or something light and refreshing, we’ve got you covered.
Recipe 1: Thai Tom Kha Gai
Tom Kha Gai is a popular Thai coconut soup that’s known for its balance of sweet, salty, sour, and spicy flavors. Here’s what you’ll need to make it:
Ingredients:
- 1 can of coconut milk
- 2 cups of chicken broth
- 1 stalk of lemongrass
- 1 thumb-sized piece of ginger
- 1-2 red chilies
- 2 cloves of garlic
- 1 tbsp of fish sauce
- 1 tbsp of brown sugar
- 1 cup of sliced mushrooms
- 1 cup of diced cooked chicken
- 1/2 cup of cherry tomatoes
- 1/4 cup of chopped cilantro
- Juice of 1 lime
Instructions:
- Prepare all your ingredients as indicated above.
- In a large pot, combine the coconut milk and chicken broth.
- Smash the lemongrass stalk and ginger with a rolling pin and add it to the pot.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium-high heat.
- Finely chop the chili and garlic, and add them to the pot.
- Add the fish sauce and brown sugar, and let the mixture simmer for 10 minutes.
- Add the mushrooms, cooked chicken, and cherry tomatoes, and let the soup simmer for another 5 minutes.
- Remove the lemongrass stalk and ginger from the pot.
- Stir in the cilantro and lime juice.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning with more fish sauce, sugar, or lime juice as needed.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
Recipe 2: Spanish Gazpacho
Gazpacho is a cold Spanish soup that’s perfect for hot summer days. It’s made with ripe tomatoes, cucumber, and peppers, and it’s blended into a smooth and refreshing soup. Here’s how to make it:
Ingredients:
- 4 ripe tomatoes, diced
- 1 cucumber, peeled and diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 1 small red onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 cup of olive oil
- 2 tbsp of red wine vinegar
- 1/4 cup of bread crumbs
- 1/2 tsp of cumin
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 cups of cold water
- Extra diced tomatoes, cucumber, and peppers for garnish
Instructions:
- In a blender, combine the diced tomatoes, cucumber, red and green peppers, red onion, garlic, olive oil, red wine vinegar, bread crumbs, cumin, salt, and pepper.
- Puree the mixture until smooth.
- Gradually add the cold water, blending until the soup reaches the desired consistency.
- Transfer the soup to a large bowl and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
- When ready to serve, ladle the soup into bowls and top with extra diced tomatoes, cucumber, and peppers, if desired.
- Enjoy your refreshing gazpacho!
Recipe 3: Indian Dal
Dal is a popular Indian soup made with lentils and spices. It’s hearty and filling, making it a perfect lunch option. Here’s what you’ll need to make it:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of red lentils, rinsed and drained
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 thumb-sized piece of ginger, peeled and minced
- 1-2 green chilies, chopped (optional)
- 1 tsp of cumin seeds
- 1 tsp of mustard seeds
- 1 tsp of turmeric
- 1 tsp of ground coriander
- 1 tsp of garam masala
- 1 can of diced tomatoes
- 4 cups of water or vegetable broth
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Chopped fresh cilantro, for serving
Instructions:
- In a large pot, heat up some oil over medium heat.
- Add the onions, garlic, ginger, and green chilies, if using.
- Cook until the onions are translucent.
- Add the cumin seeds and mustard seeds, and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Add the turmeric, ground coriander, and garam masala, and cook for another minute.
- Add the diced tomatoes and cook for another 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Add the rinsed and drained lentils and the water or vegetable broth.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the lentils are soft and the soup has thickened.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve hot with naan bread or rice.
- Enjoy your hearty and flavorful dal!
Recipe 4: Mexican Tortilla Soup
Tortilla soup is a spicy and comforting Mexican soup that’s perfect for lunchtime. Here’s what you’ll need to make it:
Ingredients:
- 1 tbsp of olive oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 can of diced tomatoes
- 4 cups of chicken broth
- 2 tsp of chili powder
- 1 tsp of cumin
- 1 tsp of smoked paprika
- 1 can of black beans, rinsed and drained
- 2 cups of cooked shredded chicken
- Juice of 1 lime
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Tortilla chips, sliced avocado, and cilantro, for garnish
Instructions:
- In a large pot, heat up the olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the onion, garlic, jalapeno peppers, and red bell pepper.
- Cook for 5-7 minutes or until the vegetables are softened.
- Add the diced tomatoes, chicken broth, chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika.
- Bring the soup to a simmer and let it cook for 10-15 minutes.
- Add the black beans and shredded chicken and heat through.
- Stir in the lime juice, salt, and pepper.
- Ladle the soup into bowls and top with tortilla chips, sliced avocado, and cilantro.
- Serve hot and enjoy your spicy and satisfying tortilla soup!
Recipe 5: Japanese Miso Soup
Miso soup is a staple of Japanese cuisine and it’s a light and refreshing soup that’s perfect for lunch. Here’s how to make it:
Ingredients:
- 4 cups of water
- 2 tbsp of miso paste
- 1 block of firm tofu, diced
- 1-2 green onions, chopped
- 1 sheet of nori seaweed, cut into thin strips
- 1 tsp of dried bonito flakes (optional)
Instructions:
- In a medium pot, bring the water to a simmer.
- Lower the heat and add the miso paste, stirring until it’s dissolved.
- Add the diced tofu, green onions, and nori seaweed to the pot.
- If using the bonito flakes, add them to the pot as well.
- Simmer the soup for 5-10 minutes, or until the tofu is heated through and the seaweed is soft.
- Remove the soup from the heat and let it sit for a minute or two to allow the flavors to mingle.
- Serve hot and enjoy your light and flavorful miso soup!
Conclusion
Soup is a great way to explore different cuisines and flavors from around the world, and these five recipes are a great starting point. From the spicy and creamy Thai Tom Kha Gai to the refreshing and light Japanese Miso Soup, there’s something for everyone on this list. So why not try something new and spice up your lunch routine with one of these global-inspired soup recipes?