South Indian Chicken Soup

Ingredients:

Chicken - 1/2 lb (bony pieces)
Shallot onions - 5-8 (chopped)
Tomato - 1 (chopped or mashed up with hands)
Green Chilly - 1
Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp
Chicken Masala - 1/2 tsp
Cilantro - 3 springs (chopped)

For tempering: 

Oil - 2 tblsp
Peppercorns - 1 tsp
Cumin Seeds - 1 tsp
Red chilly - 1
Garlic pods - 5 or 6
Curry Leaves - 5 leaves






Method:



1. In a pressure cooker add the bony chicken pieces, onion, green chilly and tomato.
2. Add about 5-6 cups of water, salt and turmeric powder.
3. Pressure cook for 7-8 whistles. We want the bones to break down and release all its essence.
4. In the meantime, coarsely grind the ingredients under 'For Tempering' using the pulse mode. You can also use a motar and pestle to crush the ingredients.
5. Heat oil in a small pan, add the coarsely ground masala and fry for a minute.
6. After the pressure goes down, open the cooker and turn on the heat.
7. Add the tempering, chicken masala and chopped cilantro to the rasam.
8. Bring it to a boil and switch off. Serve it piping hot.

Capsicum Soup

Ingredients:

Capsicum - 1 (red or green)
Onion - 1 small or 1/2 medium
Garlic - 2 cloves
Tomato - 1/2

Green Chillies - 2
Cilantro - handful
Chicken/ Veg Stock - 2 cups
Ground Pepper - as needed
Roasted Cumin Powder - 1/2 tsp
Salt - as needed
Olive Oil - 2 tsp
Cream - 1/2 cup (optional)

Method:

1. Heat Oil in a pan, saute the garlic and onion for a minute.
2. Add the capsicum (bell pepper), tomato, green chillies and Cilantro and cook till the capsicum becomes soft. Switch off.
3. Puree the mixture using a hand blender or a mixie. Strain the pureed mixture to remove the seeds and skin. (Some people like to continue without straining but the texture will be different. This step is a must to get a smooth and creamy soup.)
4. Add this strained soup back to the pot and add the chicken/ vegetable stock to it. Switch on the stove.
5. Add required salt, cumin powder and required pepper powder. Bring the soup to a boil.
6. Add the cream to the soup to thicken it. Alternatively, mix little corn flour with some water and add to the soup while boiling.
7. Simmer for another 5 -10 minutes and switch off.
7. Garnish with heavy cream, crutons, toasted bread piece, fresh herbs etc according to your taste and imagination. Serve hot.

Oats Soup

Ingredients:



Oats - 1 cup
Onion - 1/2 (finely chopped)
Green Chilly - 1 (finely chopped)
Garlic - 1 clove (minced)
Salt - to taste
Pepper powder - a pinch
Water- 1 cup
Milk - 1 cup
Oil - 2 tsp
Cilantro - for garnish


Method:



1. Heat oil in a pan and saute the onions, green chilly and garlic till they begin to sweat. 
2. Now add the oats and fry along with it for 2 minutes.
3. Add salt and water and let it come to a boil. 
4. Now add the milk and pepper powder to it and bring to a boil. 
5. Garnish the rich and creamy oats soup with cilantro or green onions. Serve piping hot with a slice of bread.

Sweet Corn Vegetable Soup

Ingredients:

1 cup corn
3 cups water
1 tbsp Corn flour
Salt to taste
Bit of Sugar (optional)

Boiled peas and small pieces of carrot, coriander leaves (optional)
1/2 tsp Soya sauce
1/2 tsp chilli sauce


Method:

Cook the corn and keep some seperately. Grind the remaining corn with little peas.

In a pan, add water, grinded corn and corn flour and mix well on low flame.

Add the remaining ingredients and when the soup becomes thick. Now add the boiled peas, small pieces of carrot and the corn kept seperately. Garnish with very few coriander leaves and serve.