Wor Wonton Soup

Wor Wonton Soup

Wor Wonton Soup

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Wor Wonton Soup served in a shallow black bowl on a bamboo mat with a broken fortune cookie in the background.

You’ll want to skip the takeout when you can make flavour-packed Wor Wonton Soup at home. It’s incredibly easy and quick once all the components are ready. I prefer to make homemade wontons and pork for this recipe because both are just so much better than store-bought in my opinion. I’ve included links for both, so I encourage you to be adventurous and try both. For this soup, I’ve chosen to use broccoli and carrots for my vegetables, however, feel free to sub in baby bok choy, water chestnuts, snow peas or baby corn to suit your liking.

Prepped pork wontons, pork char sui, shrimp and vegetables ready for Wor Wonton Soup.

The biggest trick to Wor Wonton Soup is the timing. I’ve dabbled with several different timing arrangements and found that the vegetables will cook in the same time it takes the wontons to cook. Therefore, adding them to the simmering broth at the same time is essential. Overcooking either is undesirable, to say the least. The same can be said for the shrimp and pork too. The shrimp will cook in no more than 2 minutes and the pork only needs to be warmed as it’s already cooked. So be sure to stick around the pot, the whole process takes only 4-5 minutes, so it’s not the time to do even the quickest of choirs.

Wor Wonton Soup served in a shallow black bowl on a bamboo mat with a broken fortune cookie in the background.

I’ve included links for the Pork Char Siu and Pork Wontons. The extra pork can be tightly wrapped in a sealable bag and frozen for up to two months. The wontons can also be frozen in a single layer and then placed in a sealable container for up to a month. Extra wontons are easily cooked in a little broth, deep-fried or pan-fried. Trust me, they will not go to waste!! This is a wonderful soup that eats like a meal and it’s easier than you might think. Enjoy!

Pork Char Siu

Crispy Wontons

Author:  Compelled to Cook

Wor Wonton Soup served in a shallow black bowl on a bamboo mat with a broken fortune cookie in the background.
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Wor Wonton Soup

Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 4 people

Ingredients

  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 4 cups low sodium chicken broth
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 1/2-2 cups large bite-size broccoli pieces
  • 1 large carrot, thinly sliced on a diagonal
  • 16 each pork wontons see note
  • 12 large shrimp, deveined and tail removed
  • 6 ounces Chinese BBQ pork (Pork Char Siu), thinly sliced see note
  • 2 tbsp green onion, thinly sliced on a diagonal
  • as needed sesame oil

Instructions

  • In a large pot heat broth and soy sauce to a gentle simmer. Add broccoli, carrots and pork wontons and maintain a simmer. Cook for 4-5 minutes until wontons are cooked and vegetables are just tender. Add shrimp and sliced pork when about 2 minutes of cooking time remains.
  • Divide soup into shallow bowls and garnish with green onions and a drizzle of sesame oil.

Notes

-The prep time noted does not include the time to make the wontons or pork char siu if making either from scratch.
-You can use store-bought wontons and pork char siu, however homemade is so much better and I've included a link to both in the post above.

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I may receive compensation for purchases made through this site, at no cost to the purchaser. Compelled to Cook is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com
Hungarian Mushroom Soup

Hungarian Mushroom Soup

Hungarian Mushroom Soup

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Hungarian Mushroom Soup garnished with sauteed mushrooms and fresh dill served in a shallow white and grey bowl.

Hungarian Mushroom Soup is such a nice take on regular mushroom soup. I find it more flavourful yet still creamy and loaded with mushrooms as you would expect from a mushroom soup. This soup gets its name mainly from the addition of paprika to the soup. Paprika is made in many parts of the world, however, it is considered the national spice of Hungary. Hungary is not only well known for the paprika it produces, it is also one of the largest producers in the world. When shopping for paprika, you will notice most grocery stores sell paprika with no indication of origin. This means it may come from anywhere, such as Hungary, Spain or Mexico. This common paprika will work fine for this recipe, so there’s no need to hunt for anything out of the ordinary. If you can find Hungarian paprika, consider it a bonus! You’re guaranteed to get the rich, red pepper flavour that it is known for. But even Hungarian paprika has a wide range of grades and variances. Whichever you choose to use, I do recommend using good quality paprika.

The other ingredient that sets this soup apart is sour cream. It is a welcome change from heavy cream and adds richness along with a little tang to the soup. I also prefer to blend a portion of the soup to give it a luscious, creamy texture. Hungarian Mushroom Soup is a simple soup with great flavour and body. It makes a lovely appetizer soup, but I like to eat it as a main course soup served with crusty bread or a chicken salad sandwich. Either way, it is perfect for the chilly months ahead. Enjoy!

Sauteed mushrooms in a stainless steel skillet, paprika and fresh dill in preparation for Hungarian Mushroom Soup.
Hungarian Mushroom Soup garnished with sauteed mushrooms and fresh dill served in a shallow white and grey bowl.

Author:  Compelled to Cook, recipe adapted from All Recipes Magazine One-Pan Recipes (All Recipes)

Hungarian Mushroom Soup garnished with sauteed mushrooms and fresh dill served in a shallow white and grey bowl.
Hungarian Mushroom Soup
Print Recipe
    Servings
    6 cups
    Servings
    6 cups
    Hungarian Mushroom Soup garnished with sauteed mushrooms and fresh dill served in a shallow white and grey bowl.
    Hungarian Mushroom Soup
    Print Recipe
      Servings
      6 cups
      Servings
      6 cups
      Ingredients
      Servings: cups
      Instructions
      1. Heat 2 tbsp butter in a medium pot. Add onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add 1/3 of the sliced mushrooms, 1 cup of broth, soy sauce, paprika and dried dill. Cover and simmer on low for 15-20 until everything is soft.
      2. Meanwhile, melt the remaining butter in a large skillet until foamy. Add remaining sliced mushrooms and sauté over medium-high heat to brown the mushroom. Reserve about a 1/2 cup for garnish if desired.
      3. Using a blender or handheld emersion blender puree the cooked onion and mushrooms until smooth. Return mixture to the pot and stir in remaining broth. Whisk together milk and flour and stir into the blended mixture. Bring to a simmer and add sautéed mushroom, 1/2 tsp salt and pepper. Cook covered for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
      4. Stir in sour cream, lemon juice and additional salt to taste. Serve garnished with reserved mushrooms, fresh dill or parsley if desired.

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      I may receive compensation for purchases made through this site, at no cost to the purchaser. Compelled to Cook is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com
      Creamy Tomato Soup

      Creamy Tomato Soup

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      Tomato Bisque with crutons served in a shallow blue bowl resting on a wooden board draped with a striped napkin.

      Today’s post is a blog update on my Creamy Tomato Soup. Because the weather is frightful right now in central Alberta, it seemed like the perfect time to do a little tidy up on this gorgeous soup. This Tomato Soup is creamy and luscious, even with only a small amount of cream. It’s thickened with rice, making it a great gluten-free option.

      The creaminess and tang are the perfect marriage with crunchy cheese toast or buttery croutons. I won’t hesitate to say that when you make this soup, you will have tremendous satisfaction from your efforts because it’s so much better than store-bought soup. You’ll also have peace of mind knowing you’re feeding your family wholesome goodness.

      Traditional French bisque is made using ground crustacean shells and thickened with rice. The term is used loosely today and can refer to anything pureed such as tomatoes or squash. Most varieties are finished with cream as is this one. Enjoy!

      Tomato Bisque with crutons served in a shallow blue bowl resting on a wooden board draped with a striped napkin.

      Author: Compelled to Cook, adapted from Chef John of Food Wishes Tomato Bisque

      Tomato Bisque with crutons served in a shallow blue bowl resting on a wooden board draped with a striped napkin.
      Creamy Tomato Soup
      Print Recipe
        Servings Prep Time
        4-6 people 20 minutes
        Cook Time
        30-50 minutes
        Servings Prep Time
        4-6 people 20 minutes
        Cook Time
        30-50 minutes
        Tomato Bisque with crutons served in a shallow blue bowl resting on a wooden board draped with a striped napkin.
        Creamy Tomato Soup
        Print Recipe
          Servings Prep Time
          4-6 people 20 minutes
          Cook Time
          30-50 minutes
          Servings Prep Time
          4-6 people 20 minutes
          Cook Time
          30-50 minutes
          Ingredients
          Servings: people
          Instructions
          1. Melt butter in a large heavy pot, add onions and garlic and cook on medium heat for 5 minutes until the onions become translucent.
          2. Add the tomatoes, stock, paprikas, sugar, salt, white pepper and rice and cook until the rice is very soft, at least 30 minutes.
          3. Blend with a handheld immersion blender until smooth. Stir in heavy cream and season to taste with salt.
          Recipe Notes

          I used homemade chicken stock and used 1 1/2 tsp of salt. The amount of salt will depend on the stock/broth used, so season to taste.

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          I may receive compensation for purchases made through this site, at no cost to the purchaser. Compelled to Cook is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com
          Roasted Vegetable Soup

          Roasted Vegetable Soup

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          Roasted Vegetable Soup served in a black bowl with crusty bread.

          Get cozy with a warming bowl of Roasted Vegetable Soup.  This soup is perfect for your fall/winter line up with its earthy yet slightly sweet flavour.  It’s a wonderful blend of carrots, parsnips, apple and curry. 

          A sheet pan lined with roasted vegetable in preparation for Roasted Vegetable Soup.

          This Roasted Vegetable Soup blends up beautifully with cannellini beans and a splash of cream gives it a silky richness.  A well-blended soup comes from using quality ingredients, cooking everything until soft enough to blend, and finally, using a good quality blender makes a big difference.

          For a vegan option, use vegetable broth and substitute the cream for coconut milk.  The result is just as delicious, enjoy!

          Author:  Compelled to Cook

          Roasted Vegetable Soup
          Print Recipe
            Servings Prep Time
            8 cups 30 minutes
            Cook Time Passive Time
            80 minutes 15 minutes
            Servings Prep Time
            8 cups 30 minutes
            Cook Time Passive Time
            80 minutes 15 minutes
            Roasted Vegetable Soup
            Print Recipe
              Servings Prep Time
              8 cups 30 minutes
              Cook Time Passive Time
              80 minutes 15 minutes
              Servings Prep Time
              8 cups 30 minutes
              Cook Time Passive Time
              80 minutes 15 minutes
              Ingredients
              Servings: cups
              Instructions
              1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
              2. Toss parsnips, carrots, apple and garlic with 1 tbsp oil. Spread out on a large baking tray in a single layer. Roast for 40 minutes flipping once after 20 minutes.
              3. Meanwhile, heat remaining 1 tbsp of oil in a large pot or dutch oven over medium heat. Add diced onion and saute until starting to soften, about 5-7 minutes (don't brown).
              4. To the pot add the roasted vegetables, chicken broth, beans, curry paste, and salt. Bring to a simmer, cover and cook on low for 30-40 minutes until everything is good and soft.
              5. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly 10-15 minutes. Puree mixture in a blender until smooth and silky. Return to pot and warm on low if needed. Stir in cream and white pepper. Adjust consistency to your liking with additional broth and season to taste with salt.
              Recipe Notes

              -letting the soup cool slightly before blending is not necessary, however, I find it a little safer than blending the scalding hot soup.

              -the amount of salt needed will be dependent on the saltiness of your broth.

              -makes about 8 cups of soup depending on your desired consistency.

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              I may receive compensation for purchases made through this site, at no cost to the purchaser. Compelled to Cook is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com
              Slow Cooker Lentil and Ham Soup

              Slow Cooker Lentil and Ham Soup

              A day for family…

              February 18, 2019 marks Family Day in my province of Alberta, Canada.  A holiday to promote family values and spending time together as a family.  Slow Cooker Lentil and Ham Soup is perfect for your family day weekend.  Super easy to toss together in your slow cooker, and forget about until dinner time. Giving you the whole day to spend with your family without having to worry about dinner until the last few touches are required, which is hours later.

              Dinner is ready…

              With just a couple of last minute touches to the soup, the whole family can enjoy a hearty and satisfying soup made from scratch.  It’s a wonderful bowlful to warm everyone up from a day of outdoor activities even if it’s not a holiday.  The recipe makes about 10 cups and freezes well too.

              To ham or not to ham…

              I love the subtle smokiness a ham bone can bring to soup and I just happen to have a ham bone leftover from the holidays. If a ham bone isn’t available to you, a smoked pork hock works just as well and they’re readily available all year.   I also like the texture and flavour of meaty little bites of ham throughout the soup too, so I’ll definitely ham it up when I can. But don’t fret, this is a lovely vegan soup without the ham if that is your preference.  The dill and vinegar in the recipe add a little brightness to the soup and helps to cut the starchiness of the lentils.  It’s so, so good.

              Now, about the lentil…

              I could rattle on and on about the lentil, but the lentils website is very informative about the varieties, nutrition and cooking of the lentil.  It’s a good read with lots of information.  

              Slow Cooker Lentil and Ham Soup
              Print Recipe
                Servings Prep Time
                10 cups 30 minutes
                Cook Time
                7 hours
                Servings Prep Time
                10 cups 30 minutes
                Cook Time
                7 hours
                Slow Cooker Lentil and Ham Soup
                Print Recipe
                  Servings Prep Time
                  10 cups 30 minutes
                  Cook Time
                  7 hours
                  Servings Prep Time
                  10 cups 30 minutes
                  Cook Time
                  7 hours
                  Ingredients
                  Servings: cups
                  Instructions
                  1. Rinse and drain lentils. Add lentils along with onion, celery, carrots, cabbage, garlic, parsley, bay leaf, thyme to your slow cooker.
                  2. Cut excess ham away from bone and save for later.
                  3. Add ham bone and 7 cups of broth to slow cooker. Stir to combine, cover and cook on low for about 7 hours, stirring once or twice.
                  4. While soup is cooking, coursely chop or shred ham. Cover and refrigerate until soup is ready.
                  5. Remove ham bone and bay leaf from soup. Adjust consistency with the additional cup of broth. Stir in chopped ham and white vinegar. Cover and allow to cook for 5-10 more minutes to warm ham. Add a generous sprinkle of fresh dill and season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve with a dollop of sour cream and more fresh dill.
                  Recipe Notes
                  • a smoked pork hock will work in place of a meaty ham bone.
                  • for a vegetarian/vegan option, use vegetable broth and omit the ham and sour cream.

                  Affiliate Disclosure

                  I may receive compensation for purchases made through this site, at no cost to the purchaser. Compelled to Cook is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com