As all good cooks know, we taste with our eyes first.  And what is more impressive than serving your creation in a beautiful tureen.  From humble to haute, the form lends itself to endless variations. 
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Intrigued? To learn more and see an outstanding collection of tureens, visit our neighbors at Winterthur Museum.

The Campbell Collection at Winterthur
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One of my all time favorite books from childhood is Stone Soup by Marcia Brown.

Based on a fable that takes different forms throughout Europe, it is the tale of hungry strangers, who trick a reluctant village into sharing their meager stores to make a wonderful and bountiful soup for all.  A great lesson of cooperation and sharing.
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It's a great reminder of the power of soup to bring folks together.

With only a week  before the big day, it is time to choose our soup and make a trial run. With so many delicious options out there, this is probably the hardest part of the competition.  

We've narrowed our choices down to the following two contenders
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Servings: 4
​Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 pound mushrooms, sliced
• 1/4 cup flour (rice flour for gluten free)
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 4 cups chicken stock
• 2 teaspoons dried dill
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce (optional)
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 splash lemon juice
• 1 handful fresh dill, chopped (optional)

directions

1. Melt the butter in a large sauce pan
2.  Add the onions and mushroom and cook for about 10-15 minutes.
3. Mix in the flour and paprika and let it cook for 2-3 minutes.
4. Add the broth, dill, soy sauce.
5.  Bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes
6. Season with salt, pepper
7. Mix in the sour cream, lemon juice and dill and remove from heat

Recipe courtesy Closet Cooking
​http://www.closetcooking.com/2007/05/hungarian-mushroom-soup.html
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Yields 7 servings
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Ingredients

• 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast, cooked and shredded (3 cups) - Feel free to use rotisserie chicken, my go-to short cut  
• 8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled*
• 1/4 cup butter, diced into 1 Tbsp pieces
• 1 large red bell pepper, diced (1 1/2 cups)
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced (1 1/4 cups)
• 1 - 2 jalapeños, seeded for less heat if desired, finely chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 3 medium russet potatoes, peeled and diced slightly less than 1/2-inch thick (3 cups)
• 2 bay leaves
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 2 1/2 cups fresh or frozen corn
• 1 1/2 cups half and half
• Green onions and seeded, finely chopped jalapeños (optional), for serving

1. In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat.
2. Add red bell pepper, onions, jalapenos and saute until tender, about 3 minutes.
3. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds longer.
4. Stir in flour, and cook 2 minutes stirring constantly. While stirring, slowly add in chicken broth and whisk until well blended.
5. Add potatoes, bay leaves and season with salt and pepper to taste. Bring mixture to a boil stirring frequently, then reduce heat to medium-low and cook, uncovered, 10 minutes or just until potatoes are tender, stirring occasionally.
6. Add in cooked chicken, corn and half and half and simmer, uncovered 10 - 15 minutes longer, stirring occasionally.
7. Serve warm topped bacon, green onions, and optional jalapeno peppers.

​Recipe Source: adapted with some changes from BHG

There are few things more comforting than a bowl of delicious soup by the fireside with family and dear friends.  Never satisfied to leave well enough alone, our clan has turned this into an annual competition  - THE SOUPERBOWL -  

Who
Teams are made up of friends and relatives - Uncles, Aunts, Nieces and Nephews join forces.
It's a great way to spend time with extended family members.

What
Each team brings their soup (NOT STEW, you know who I'm talking to). 
Yes, it has to be homemade.
Crockpots are a great invention.

When
SouperBowl is traditionally held on the first Saturday of the New Year.

How
Teams serve everyone a small sample of their soup, accompanied by their "sales pitch". 
Rapping, Rhyming, Smack Talking and  Mellifluous Manure  Shoveling is  all permitted and encouraged.
What we lack in culinary skills is greatly enhanced  by our gift of the gab.

Each team cast a written and secret vote for their 1st and 2nd choice. No, you can't vote for your team TWICE or even once.

Votes are tallied  And yes dear brother, we know the quote by Joseph Stalin, "It doesn't matter who votes. It matters who counts the votes".  Choose a trustworthy trio from different teams for the job. Did I mention we are a little competitive?

Why
Because you are never too old for a little healthy competition with your siblings and childhood friends. 
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The much coveted Golden Ladle and bragging rights