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Soups
Soup is one of the most beloved and flexible of all dishes. And it’s a star of health and sustainability, a great way to get more vegetables into your diet and cut down on food waste. This comprehensive guide from the National Trust covers every kind of soup, from classics like Broccoli and Stilton and Minestrone to new favorites like Thai-style spiced squash. There’s a handy guide to perfect garnishes and accompaniments too.
- GenresNonfictionCooking
160 pages, Hardcover
Published January 16, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
November 17, 2023
I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.
Soups is a beautifully illustrated recipe book jam packed with a variety of different soups. As a soup lover, I love trying different combinations and recipes, especially during the autumn and winter seasons. The illustrations are truly beautiful and add that extra something to this book to make it aesthetically pleasing however I did miss the photos of the finished soups and feel this could have been added to the back of the book for each soup as a grid maybe as I always like a real photo to compare my soup to as I make it. But, I still enjoyed this book, and the recipes look easy and nutritious with something for all tastes.
Soups is a beautifully illustrated recipe book jam packed with a variety of different soups. As a soup lover, I love trying different combinations and recipes, especially during the autumn and winter seasons. The illustrations are truly beautiful and add that extra something to this book to make it aesthetically pleasing however I did miss the photos of the finished soups and feel this could have been added to the back of the book for each soup as a grid maybe as I always like a real photo to compare my soup to as I make it. But, I still enjoyed this book, and the recipes look easy and nutritious with something for all tastes.
August 26, 2023
Firstly, the illustrations are gorgeous, and really unique. They really add something to the book.
There are loads and loads of recipes in here, and there are loads that stick out to me that I want to try!
really unique and quirky book!
There are loads and loads of recipes in here, and there are loads that stick out to me that I want to try!
really unique and quirky book!
August 28, 2023
This is s a great book for all soup lovers out there! So many recipes for all kinds of different soups. A great cook book for autumn. I wish the book had photos of all the soups, because that is something I expect out a cookbook.
September 29, 2023
Being the proud owner of more than 30 cookbooks in my little personal library, I know that photographs are essential for some when considering the purchase of a cookbook, I myself was a little disappointed when I first took a look at this one. But I also know that buying the most aesthetically pleasing cookbook doesn’t give any guarantee in regards to the quality and reliabily of the recipes. Plus, the illustrations really are lovely and add a nice touch to the book.
The author did a great job curating and adapting the 80 soup recipes in this book. She explains that she worked on reducing the amounts of fat in the recipes, packing as much vegetables as possible and shortening the cooking time.
The layout of the book is nice, classic yet effective, with useful indications as to whether the recipes are vegetarian / vegan or gluten free.
There are 5 main chapters, each one revolves around a type of soup (veggie, pulses and grains, fish ...) as well as a small chapter dedicated to homemade stocks, garnishes and accompaniments.
The recipes are well detailed and easy to follow, the measurments are systematically converted to avoid any confusion and small tips are given at the bottom of each page.
This is a nice cookbook, with practical and comforting everyday recipes, as well as exotic dishes and fancier options that elevate a dish often seen as boring. I've started by making the carrot, orange and coriander soup and am excited to try out the others.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me access to a digital copy of this cookbook in exchange of an honest review.
The author did a great job curating and adapting the 80 soup recipes in this book. She explains that she worked on reducing the amounts of fat in the recipes, packing as much vegetables as possible and shortening the cooking time.
The layout of the book is nice, classic yet effective, with useful indications as to whether the recipes are vegetarian / vegan or gluten free.
There are 5 main chapters, each one revolves around a type of soup (veggie, pulses and grains, fish ...) as well as a small chapter dedicated to homemade stocks, garnishes and accompaniments.
The recipes are well detailed and easy to follow, the measurments are systematically converted to avoid any confusion and small tips are given at the bottom of each page.
This is a nice cookbook, with practical and comforting everyday recipes, as well as exotic dishes and fancier options that elevate a dish often seen as boring. I've started by making the carrot, orange and coriander soup and am excited to try out the others.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me access to a digital copy of this cookbook in exchange of an honest review.
March 20, 2024
Doing pretty much what you'd expect, this gives us a guide to the world's soup courses, with recipes for each. With few illustrations – and none of those pesky, modern photographs – we often have to guess at the intended results, but as it says here in the preamble the soup is pretty much a forgiving dish, allowing you to get away with a lot. So yes, what we'd expect – which here surely includes extolling the virtues of the low-food-mile, seasonal produce, the classic recipe (whether classically British, like pea and mint, or nettle, or much more exotic), and generally giving us the green-light to think of soups as panaceas and perfect picks year round. There's even a two-page box-out about foraging.
A lot of this is claimed to tweak a NT chef's recipe, so this should not be too far from the output of all their cafes and tea-rooms across Britain. And a lot of this is not what the bog standard soup-dabbler would come up with – whether it be the oats in the nettle soup, the prunes in cock-a-leekie, or roasting cauliflower leaves. To that end, advocates of this and that will dislike the generic "mushrooms" called for. But few will help themselves to the cold, dessert soups featuring fruits and flowers (OK, peach and lavender at least), or witness the variety of accompaniments to consider, and think the demand of the task has not been met. A strong four stars.
A lot of this is claimed to tweak a NT chef's recipe, so this should not be too far from the output of all their cafes and tea-rooms across Britain. And a lot of this is not what the bog standard soup-dabbler would come up with – whether it be the oats in the nettle soup, the prunes in cock-a-leekie, or roasting cauliflower leaves. To that end, advocates of this and that will dislike the generic "mushrooms" called for. But few will help themselves to the cold, dessert soups featuring fruits and flowers (OK, peach and lavender at least), or witness the variety of accompaniments to consider, and think the demand of the task has not been met. A strong four stars.
March 27, 2024
Book Review:
Soups by Maggie Ramsay
Published by Collins Reference, September 2023
Like a lot of recipe book owners, I have a lot of cookery books on my shelves that are pristine - well, dusty - because they have never been used. They were purchased with the best of intentions, flicked through, recipes cooed over, and then placed on the shelf, never to see the light of day again.
Soups would be different, surely? It's an ebook, so all the information is right there on my phone. Soups are something I eat a LOT of. Without getting too much into it, I live a chronic illness life and spend all time in bed or on the sofa. Things need to be easily prepared, refrigerated, and frozen.
There are no photographs in this book, but I didn't find that an issue. The illustrations are cute and made a nice change. The recipes themselves are tasty and varied, with different sections, including one for easy one-pot meals and also suggested accompaniments for the soups, which was great. The one thing I'd change to make this book perfect for me would be to make it all vegan. Then it would be my go-to recipe book.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to Collins Reference for the ARC provided via NetGalley; this is my honest review.
#BookReview #RecipeBook #Soups #MaggieRamsay #BookCommunity #CollinsReference #NetGalley #ARC #BookReviewer #ARCReviewer
Soups by Maggie Ramsay
Published by Collins Reference, September 2023
Like a lot of recipe book owners, I have a lot of cookery books on my shelves that are pristine - well, dusty - because they have never been used. They were purchased with the best of intentions, flicked through, recipes cooed over, and then placed on the shelf, never to see the light of day again.
Soups would be different, surely? It's an ebook, so all the information is right there on my phone. Soups are something I eat a LOT of. Without getting too much into it, I live a chronic illness life and spend all time in bed or on the sofa. Things need to be easily prepared, refrigerated, and frozen.
There are no photographs in this book, but I didn't find that an issue. The illustrations are cute and made a nice change. The recipes themselves are tasty and varied, with different sections, including one for easy one-pot meals and also suggested accompaniments for the soups, which was great. The one thing I'd change to make this book perfect for me would be to make it all vegan. Then it would be my go-to recipe book.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to Collins Reference for the ARC provided via NetGalley; this is my honest review.
#BookReview #RecipeBook #Soups #MaggieRamsay #BookCommunity #CollinsReference #NetGalley #ARC #BookReviewer #ARCReviewer
August 20, 2023
This is a beautifully illustrated collection of soup recipes by Maggie Ramsay, it appealed to me as a staple, particularly during Autumn and Winter where you can have a delicious healthy meal in a bowl, and where you can create a nutritious, warming and versatile soup with whatever you have and incorporating whatever seasonal vegetables are available. It is not difficult to make, and in choosing to look at this, I was looking for inspiration to add to the range of soups I already make. It certainly provided that for me, as a vegetarian, I was primarily attracted to veggie recipes, and it covers those vegetables that you might have foraged, pulses and grains. Those that particularly appealed to me included the Spicy New Potato, Coconut and Cashew Soup, Beetroot and Horseradish Soup, and Chestnut and Mushroom Soup. The recipes are clearly laid out and easy to follow, and include stocks, garnishes, accompaniments. and dumplings. This is for anyone interested in making soups, beginners and for more experienced soup makers and would make a wonderful present. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.
September 14, 2023
I really love this book about soups. It covers a really wide range of soups: vegetarian, soup as a meal, pulses and grains etc. All the basics are explained, including making stock, and plenty of tips are shared which will allow the reader to use this book as a start point to modify the recipes and create their own versions of these soups.
There is also an interesting chapter on accompaniments, like dukkah, flavoured oils, breads etc. It is nice to have these possible additions to a nice bowl of soup and to mix and match to taste. It is a useful add-on that this book provides.
Although the book does not contain photos of the dishes, it is very nicely illustrated and the recipes are well explained and presented.
A must have to get ready for the cooler days of autumn and winter, but there are ideas for hot climates and soup lovers with a sweet tooth.
A really lovely book.
There is also an interesting chapter on accompaniments, like dukkah, flavoured oils, breads etc. It is nice to have these possible additions to a nice bowl of soup and to mix and match to taste. It is a useful add-on that this book provides.
Although the book does not contain photos of the dishes, it is very nicely illustrated and the recipes are well explained and presented.
A must have to get ready for the cooler days of autumn and winter, but there are ideas for hot climates and soup lovers with a sweet tooth.
A really lovely book.
October 29, 2023
It’s that time of year again when we start making big pans of delicious homemade soup and this book is brimming with so many different recipes to choose from. If you’re looking for a traditional soup recipe, or something a little different perhaps, then this book is definitely the one for you.
It has recipes that I have never come across before, which, for me, is always a delight to find. This includes a couple of sweet dessert soups, which is also something that I haven’t seen before.
I love the use of illustrations rather than photographs too, and the extra little tips dotted throughout the recipes are great additions.
I really enjoyed this book and I will definitely be trying out some of the recipes. I highly recommend it.
My thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for allowing me to read this advance reader copy. This review is left of my own volition.
It has recipes that I have never come across before, which, for me, is always a delight to find. This includes a couple of sweet dessert soups, which is also something that I haven’t seen before.
I love the use of illustrations rather than photographs too, and the extra little tips dotted throughout the recipes are great additions.
I really enjoyed this book and I will definitely be trying out some of the recipes. I highly recommend it.
My thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for allowing me to read this advance reader copy. This review is left of my own volition.
August 16, 2023
This is a lovely little book with some excellent recipes. It has a fantastic selection which go beyond the normal range of soups usually included in cookbooks and I was especially pleased to see how many were vegetarian - there are even recipes for foods found when foraging. It's very informative, laid out very clearly and explains all steps so would be perfect for a beginner as well as the more experienced cook looking for new flavours. The National Trust books always have beautiful illustrations too and this one is no different. It makes me want to be a bit more adventurous with the ingredients I use and there are several that I cant wait to try!
Thanks to NetGalley for the copy in return for an honest review.
#NationalTrustSoups #NetGalley
Thanks to NetGalley for the copy in return for an honest review.
#NationalTrustSoups #NetGalley
September 1, 2023
This a soup bible!! I used to have the Covent Garden Soup Book which I found useful but this one is so much better. I love the encouragement to tinker with recipes and to add different vegetables so that you can cook more sustainably. I also like the focus on vegetables and legumes / grains. I'm not vegetarian but I love recipes that put vegetables centre stage, whilst not totally exclude meat and these soups certainly do. The advice to add a small amount of meat to add to the flavour is exactly my approach.
I've tried the tomato and fennel and minestrone as starter recipes and they were delicious. I also like that it includes the accompaniments such as dumplings, crispy shallots, cheese scones and pesto. I'll be using this on a weekly basis.
I've tried the tomato and fennel and minestrone as starter recipes and they were delicious. I also like that it includes the accompaniments such as dumplings, crispy shallots, cheese scones and pesto. I'll be using this on a weekly basis.
September 10, 2023
Soups by Maggie Ramsay is a lovely book with 80 different soup recipes for all tastes.
I love to have soups for lunch during autumn and winter so am always looking for new recipes and different ideas for them.
This book is super, with a great layout and well written. There is such a variety of recipes that you would be difficult not to find a few you want to make. I really enjoyed the introduction at the start of each chapter explaining a bit more about each style. The end of the book also has some recipes for things like croutons and scones to have with the soups.
A book you would certainly go back to time and again for more meal planning ideas.
Thanks to Netgalley and Collins Reference for the ARC Copy. This review is my own opinion.
I love to have soups for lunch during autumn and winter so am always looking for new recipes and different ideas for them.
This book is super, with a great layout and well written. There is such a variety of recipes that you would be difficult not to find a few you want to make. I really enjoyed the introduction at the start of each chapter explaining a bit more about each style. The end of the book also has some recipes for things like croutons and scones to have with the soups.
A book you would certainly go back to time and again for more meal planning ideas.
Thanks to Netgalley and Collins Reference for the ARC Copy. This review is my own opinion.
January 19, 2024
There are 80 soups in this National Trust cookery book which is divided into 5 main sections alongside and introduction, a how to make soup and stock, garnishes and accompaniments.
Each recipe comes with a list of ingredients in both metric and imperial measurements, a step by step guide, timings, servings and whether it is vegetarian, vegan or gluten free. Instead of photographs of the soups made up, there are illustrations of vegetables and bowls. Whilst generally fancy equipment is not required to make soup, a hand/stick blender is a must.
Overall a nice enough book, but without any nice photographs of the recipes, or the ingredients being prepped I find it a bit lacking.
I received this book from Netgalley in return for a honest review.
Each recipe comes with a list of ingredients in both metric and imperial measurements, a step by step guide, timings, servings and whether it is vegetarian, vegan or gluten free. Instead of photographs of the soups made up, there are illustrations of vegetables and bowls. Whilst generally fancy equipment is not required to make soup, a hand/stick blender is a must.
Overall a nice enough book, but without any nice photographs of the recipes, or the ingredients being prepped I find it a bit lacking.
I received this book from Netgalley in return for a honest review.
September 28, 2023
I love this book, which I didn’t expect to as I usually find books without photos of the food a bit disappointing, however, it’s soup. You know how it’s meant to look so in this case, photos really wouldn’t add much. The recipes have been well planned and mostly use cheaper (date I say “normal” ingredients… except maybe the pheasant soup recipe!) which is definitely welcomed in the age of soaring food prices. The flavours are familiar, but often with a bit of an upgrade (such as the bacon and lentil soup being served with whipped feta). I can’t wait to work my way through this book now we’re into soup season.
October 18, 2024
I usually am not a huge fan of soups, and only enjoy the occasional soup in the autumn and winter, but I love cooking and was intrugued by the idea of a cookbook with only soups! The book is very well written and I love the different chapters that include a big variety of recipes, definitely more that I could imagine! One thing I didn't love is the illustrations. It's not like they're bad, they're actually very charming, but I found it kind of jarring to not see actual photos of the dishes. All in all this is a good book that definitely inspired me to make more soups and I think it would make a great gift for friends and family during the holiday season.
September 26, 2023
What a soup-er book! (sorry, I couldn't resist!)
There are some brilliant recipes in this book, which literally take you across the world. It also provides basic instructions about how to make soup, so even the absolute beginner could pick this up, together with ideas for garnishes and accompaniments to help you pimp up your meal.
I love the illustrations throughout although I would have liked to see some photography of some of the soups too, as it's always good to see what you are making,
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
There are some brilliant recipes in this book, which literally take you across the world. It also provides basic instructions about how to make soup, so even the absolute beginner could pick this up, together with ideas for garnishes and accompaniments to help you pimp up your meal.
I love the illustrations throughout although I would have liked to see some photography of some of the soups too, as it's always good to see what you are making,
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
October 21, 2023
If you're looking for a great choice of soup recipes look no further! There is a fantastic variety of tasty healthy soup recipes contained in this lovely National Trust book. With six main sections: Soup up your veg; Pulses, pasta and grains; Meal in a bowl; Fish and shellfish; Chilled soups; and Stocks, garnishes and accompaniments. Each recipe includes prep and cook times, whether they are vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free and also have helpful tips. Thank you to Net Galley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
January 17, 2024
I bought a soup maker in the January sales after having an abundance of cheap Christmas vegetables. I wanted to know what else I could do getting away from the predictable. This book has a lot of really good soup recipes. The book could do with photos of all the soups but to be honest readers you will know with the frash ingredients what this soup will turn out like
A good book when looking for inspiration for a new soup or an old faithful. Recommended this winter.
A good book when looking for inspiration for a new soup or an old faithful. Recommended this winter.
August 30, 2023
Thank you NetGalley and Collins Reference for this eCopy to review
What a delicious book, the recipes are easy to follow and full of wonderful flavours with delightful illustrations throughout to bring the soups to life. I cannot wait to try out more of the recipes and will gifting this book to everyone I know this Christmas
What a delicious book, the recipes are easy to follow and full of wonderful flavours with delightful illustrations throughout to bring the soups to life. I cannot wait to try out more of the recipes and will gifting this book to everyone I know this Christmas
September 4, 2023
This is a generic book of soup recipes, that are mostly vegetarian and easily made vegan (with recipes marked if gluten free).
The soups sound enticing enough but the presentation of the book falls totally flat for me.
Endless lists of ingredients and directions, with no photographs and no soul!
The soups sound enticing enough but the presentation of the book falls totally flat for me.
Endless lists of ingredients and directions, with no photographs and no soul!
March 13, 2024
I’m a huge fan of cookbooks and I love soups in all seasons. This book is really complete and offers a huge variety of soup recipes.
I usually prefer cookbooks with actual photographs of recipes but this book is really well illustrated.
It’s a book that would be appreciated by soup lovers for sure!
Thank you NetGalley and Collins Reference for the ARC of this book.
I usually prefer cookbooks with actual photographs of recipes but this book is really well illustrated.
It’s a book that would be appreciated by soup lovers for sure!
Thank you NetGalley and Collins Reference for the ARC of this book.
November 18, 2023
The illustrations in this book are stunning and truly one-of-a-kind, adding an extra layer of beauty. It is filled with numerous recipes that caught my attention and I can't wait to try them out. Overall, it is a unique and quirky book that stands out.
December 21, 2023
A fabulous book as we enter Autumn to give you plenty of inspiration for delicious soups that will taste amazing, use up vegetables and save you money! A great range of different soups, flavours and styles of soup that prove there's a soup for all tastes and any vegetable left in your fridge!
January 12, 2024
I have recently bought a soup maker and was interested in finding some new recipes. There are lots of nice ones from all over the world. The ingredients are clearly listed and the recipe is easy to follow. If you like soup I recommend this book to find some different recipes to try.
December 5, 2025
Great Recipes to be found in this book.
Easy to read and understand, I only wish for more images due to the nature of a cookbook and I believe many may find it harder to keep track of how well they are doing without them.
Easy to read and understand, I only wish for more images due to the nature of a cookbook and I believe many may find it harder to keep track of how well they are doing without them.
October 7, 2023
If you’re a fan of delicious soups I highly recommend this book. Full of lovely recipes and ideas. Perfect for the coming autumn and winter
October 26, 2023
This is a fabulous soup recipe book. The soups look and sound delicious and I can’t wait to. Are them.
January 2, 2024
The soups in this book include the usual suspects (watercress, tomato, cream of chicken etc.) alongside Thai and Morrocan inspired soups. The book is also 'one pot' meals - goulash and lentil/bean stews.
There are plenty of vegan soups (or soups with vegan instructions) in the book as well.
The last chapter is accompaniments - drizzles, bread and scones.
The recipes are well-written and shouldn't cause a problem for newer cooks.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced ebook copy in exchange for an honest review.
There are plenty of vegan soups (or soups with vegan instructions) in the book as well.
The last chapter is accompaniments - drizzles, bread and scones.
The recipes are well-written and shouldn't cause a problem for newer cooks.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced ebook copy in exchange for an honest review.
November 9, 2023
There is a wide variety of soups; plenty of vegetarian, some meat and fish based varieties, also those containing pulses and grains. There are 80 recipes in all, including garnishes.
The author has given plenty of instruction, so it would be suitable for a novice cook. There are suggestions for adding or substituting ingredients. Many soups can be adapted to be vegetarian and vegan.
There are no photos at all, bar the one on the front cover. I really do not care for the illustrations, as I felt that they neither represented the recipes, or were particularly attractive. The book is lacking in this respect.
I am planning to cook the Moroccan-Style Vegetable and Chicken Soup for dinner this week, the recipe instantly appealed to me for a warming autumn meal.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book.
24/9/23
The author has given plenty of instruction, so it would be suitable for a novice cook. There are suggestions for adding or substituting ingredients. Many soups can be adapted to be vegetarian and vegan.
There are no photos at all, bar the one on the front cover. I really do not care for the illustrations, as I felt that they neither represented the recipes, or were particularly attractive. The book is lacking in this respect.
I am planning to cook the Moroccan-Style Vegetable and Chicken Soup for dinner this week, the recipe instantly appealed to me for a warming autumn meal.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book.
24/9/23
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews