As winter settles in with its chilly winds and gloomy skies, there’s nothing like a warm bowl of coastal-inspired wintery soup to lift your spirits and transport you to sun-kissed shores. Embracing the flavors of the sea, these comforting soup recipes not only provide a delicious escape from the winter blues but also bring a taste of coastal serenity to your dining table. Join us on a culinary journey that blends the coziness of winter with the freshness of the coast. This collection of soul-warming soup recipes promise to brighten even the coldest of days.

MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE

To start, I’ll share one of my favorites for this time of year. To enhance the experience, serve it with a side salad and a crusty baguette for an easy and enjoyable meal.  Additionally, it’s creamy and rich – but I’ve added chicken to make it even more filling as a one-pot meal.  Looking ahead, next time I think I’ll try adding shrimp!

Fresh Corn and Green Chile Soup

INGREDIENTS

Olive oil flavored spray

1 large onion

3 cloves garlic

6 cups chicken or vegetable stock

3 cups corn, cut from the cob (reserve cobs)

1 (15 oz.) can yellow hominy, drained, rinsed

1 t Adobo paste from canned chipotle chiles

2 poblano chiles, roasted, peeled, seeded, diced

1 large carrot, diced

1 cup 2% milk

 2 T chopped cilantro

12 oz. evaporated skim milk

2 corn tortillas, cut into thin strips, baked crisp

2 oz. Queso Ranchero or feta, crumbled

Optional – Shrimp, bacon or chicken can be added for richer flavor.

DIRECTIONS

First, sauté the onions in a covered pot using olive oil spray.  Add garlic and continue cooking for another minute. Then, simmer the stripped corncobs with the chicken stock for 15 minutes. Strain (discard cobs) and add the liquid to the onions along with 2 cups of the corn, the hominy, and adobo paste.

Afterwards, cook 10 minutes, puree, push through china cap or sieve and then return to the pot along with the carrot, poblano, remaining cup of corn and 2% milk. Next, simmer until the carrots are just tender.  Stir in the evaporated skim milk.  Add cooked protein as desired. Finally, serve hot, garnished with tortilla chips, cheese and cilantro.

BECOMING A LEGEND

Legend tells us the origins of South Carolina’s she-crab soup was created for a presidential dinner at the home of Mayor Rhett in the early 1900s. Rhett’s butler made up a rich sherry-infused soup using freshly crabmeat and cream. He added in the coral-colored roe from the female crabs (thus the name.)

More recently, efforts to preserve the crab supply have banned the harvesting of roe  from the egg-bearing female crabs who carry the roe outside of their shells. Only female crabs with the roe on the inside may be used.

Since then, recipes have suggested crumbling hard-boiled egg yolks on the bottom of the soup plate as a substitute. Like all recipes, there are many versions to try. The recipe we choose to share is considered a South Carolina favorite.

SHE CRAB SOUP

INGREDIENTS

Enjoy this wonderful wintery soup!

IT’S A CLASSIC

Another coastal delight is the classic clam chowder, a creamy and hearty soup that hails from the New England region in the United States. Brimming with succulent clams, tender potatoes, smoky bacon, and fragrant herbs, this wintery soup embodies the essence of seaside comfort. The combination of fresh seafood and wholesome ingredients makes clam chowder a cherished wintery soup that warms both the body and soul. 

The succulent clams which have been harvested from the shores give it the oceanic essence. The creamy broth and tender potato chunks add texture so that every spoonful is a reminder of the hearty warmth shared by coastal communities. You’ll love it!

(OUR FAVORITE) NEW ENGLAND CLAM CHOWDER

INGREDIENTS

2 cups cubed potatoes

1 cup diced carrots

1 cup diced celery

3 (6.5 ounce) cans minced clams, drained with juice reserved

Water to cover

¾ cup butter

¾ cup all-purpose flour

1 quart half-and-half cream

2 tablespoons red wine vinegar

1 ½ teaspoons salt

Ground black pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS

GOOD CHOWDER, BOBBY

Chowder is a popular type of wintery soup that most often (not always) has a creamy base and is chunky in texture. There’s clam chowder, corn chowder, and of course, this seafood chowder!

Most recipes start with either seafood or chicken broth for simmering the vegetables.  Chowders can be thickened using a roux and in the case of this seafood chowder recipe, the potatoes also provide a bit of starch to help it thicken it. 

SEAFOOD CHOWDER

INGREDIENTS

1 onion, diced

2 carrots, diced

4 stalks celery, diced

1 1/2 cups corn (optional)

2 potatoes, diced large

1 lb. fish of your choice

1 T garlic, minced

Salt and Pepper to taste

2 cups heavy cream

2 cups seafood stock

1 lb. shrimp, peeled

1 lb. scallops

3/4 – 1 t dill

5 T olive oil

DIRECTIONS

First, in a large skillet, sauté onions, carrots, celery, potatoes, dill, and garlic in olive oil over medium heat until onions become transparent and begin to simmer.  Next, add heavy cream and seafood stock.  Then, let simmer for approximately 30 minutes at a soft boil. As the soup reduces slightly,  add the shrimp, scallops, and fish, and allow to simmer for 15 more minutes.

No single dish epitomizes the Gulf Coast more than gumbo. It’s far more than a soup – it’s a significant cultural emblem of coastal cuisine. While it’s unquestionably a staple of the entire region, it practically defines Louisiana. In fact, gumbo is the official dish of the state, and it has enjoyed popularity since 18th-century Louisiana. Heavily seasoned, gumbo can be made with a variety of seafoods with other meats frequently added as well. With its flavorful “gravy,” it is generally served with rice. 

Among the thousands of different recipes, our favorite here is quick, easy, and sooo tasty.

SHRIMP AND VEGETABLE GUMBO

INGREDIENTS

4 scallions, cut diagonally into ½-inch pieces

1 large yellow pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces

½ lb. okra

1 large clove garlic, crushed

1 t salt, divided

2 T vegetable oil, divided

1 bay leaf

2 pints cherry tomatoes, halved

1 lb. large shrimp, peeled and deveined

1 T chopped fresh thyme, or 1 t dried

½ t ground red pepper

DIRECTIONS

In large skillet over medium-high heat, cook scallions, yellow pepper, okra, garlic, bay leaf, and ¾ teaspoon salt in 1 tablespoon hot oil for 7 minutes. Next, stir in cherry tomatoes and cook 5 minutes or until just tender. 

Meanwhile, in large plastic food-storage bag, combine shrimp, thyme, ground red pepper and remaining 1 tablespoon oil and ¼ teaspoon salt.  Next, seal and shake to coat.  Then, cook shrimp 3 to 4 minutes or until pink in a skillet over medium-high heat.  Finally, stir into vegetable mixture. Gumbo is a perfect warm, wintery soup! 

FROM THE SEA

Even though our time at the coast is limited in winter, we can still relish the ocean’s bounty through delightful and warming creations. Whether it’s the creamy embrace of clam chowder or the spicy kick of seafood gumbo, wintery soups bring comfort during the colder months.

Before we know it, we’ll be headed back to the beach for fun in the sun. Until then, I’ll have some soup.