7 Creamy

Soup Recipes

For Satisfying Yet Light Rainy Day Lunches

What is it about rainy days that makes soup recipes seem irresistible? Well, one of the most obvious reasons is the temperature drop. Monsoons come with a little chill in the air; the kind that asks for a hot cup or bowl to hold between your hands, as you lounge on the couch watching the 100th rerun of your favourite sitcom. Soups also boost immunity and are gentle on your sluggish digestion. These soup recipes double as comforting lunches on a rainy day. Start exploring!

The broccoli soup recipe makes for a creamy, flavourful, and healthy lunch. It’s also not a difficult dish to master. Firstly, sauté onions and garlic in butter, and then add broccoli florets and vegetable stock. Simmer until the broccoli is tender. Now blend the mix until smooth, and season with salt and pepper. Finish with a splash of cream. The green bowl of soup can be paired with simple soup sticks if you want to keep things light and crunchy. For a heartier meal, add a pasta salad or simple sandwich to the mix. 

If the bright orange does not lift you out of monsoon melancholy, the sharp flavour will do the trick. The pumpkin soup recipe starts by cooking chopped pumpkin with onions, garlic, and stock until soft. Then, blend into a smooth soup and season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg. Serve hot with toasted bread for a filling lunch that might just have you going back for a second helping.

One of the most classic soup recipes on the list, the sweet corn soup recipe is a go-to when the rains start their pitter-patter. Grab a can of sweet corn kernels and begin cooking. First, simmer sweet corn kernels with vegetable stock, ginger, and garlic. You can also add chopped carrots, French beans, and spring onions to the mix. If using vegetables, saute them before simmering in stock. Next, blend half the mixture for thickness. Only use half and return it to the pot with the remaining kernels. Season and serve hot. For that restaurant-style flavour, add a dash of white pepper.

If you like your lunch loaded with vegetables, then the minestrone soup recipe deserves a place on your rainy-day menu. Originating in Italy, this hearty soup combines vegetables, beans, pasta, and tomatoes in a flavourful broth. To make it, sauté onions, carrots, celery, and garlic, then add tomatoes, beans, stock, and mixed vegetables. Simmer until tender and stir in cooked pasta. Finish with herbs and serve warm. One bowl is often filling enough to qualify as an entire meal.

A classic soup recipe, tomato soup is the unofficial king of Indian railways. Cook tomatoes, onions, and garlic until soft and tender. Blend until smooth, strain if desired, and season with salt, pepper, and a little sugar. Serve hot with croutons for a delectable mix of crunch and comfort. Add cream if you want a more comforting bowl, especially when the rains strike. Pair it with a grilled cheese sandwich for a meal that’s hearty and wholesome. 

Light, fragrant, and comforting, the chicken lemon coriander soup recipe is a staple of Indo-Chinese restaurant menus. It works particularly well during the monsoon because it feels nourishing without being too heavy. To make it, simmer shredded chicken in stock with ginger and garlic. Add lemon juice, chopped coriander, and a little cornflour slurry if you prefer a thicker soup. Top it with fried noodles or serve it as is. The result is a savoury broth brightened by citrus and fresh herbs. Serve hot and enjoy while listening to the rain outside.

Can't decide between curry and soup? Then the Thai curry noodle soup recipe gives you the best of both worlds. Rich, aromatic, and packed with flavour, it combines the creaminess of coconut milk with the warmth of curry spices. To make it, cook red or green Thai curry paste in a little oil, then add coconut milk and stock. Simmer with vegetables and cooked noodles, then finish with lime juice and fresh herbs. The soup is creamy, spicy, tangy, and substantial enough to make a complete lunch on its own. 

Soup recipes make for excellent lunches because you can choose from a wide range of flavours and textures. If you want a lighter meal, you can opt for simpler recipes, while noodles or creamy soups make for heartier lunches. And all of them serve as excellent company for the rain. Pair them with toasted bread, grilled sandwiches, light salads, or even simple mains like pastas for a wholesome meal.