What do you do when your sunny paradise freezes? First you think, how much farther south do I have to go? Key West? South America? Then you succumb to the cold, begrudgingly retire your flip-flops, and dust off those cold weather coping skills you thought you'd left in Pennsylvania: stay in, watch movies, and make a TON of soup. To that end, Matt and I decided to mix it up a bit and challenged each other to Soup Off 2010. The objective: make a new soup that's better than your opponent's. The judging: each contestant will taste both soups and choose their favorite. In case of a tie, pictures of the challenge will be taken to document the event and our loyal blog followers will decide whose soup looks/sounds like it tastes the best. And so, it begins.
Matt's entry: Paula Deen's Poblano Chicken Chowder.
Whitney's entry:Grilled Tomato Soup from The Joy of Cooking.
Read our accounts below, take a look at the ingredients and preparation in the slide show, and vote in the comments section :)
Matt: As I'm sure you guessed, we are divided. I believe my soup to be the best and Whitney her's. We need your help. Whose bowl of divinity will you choose? Mine is a hardy chowder, touting a superb balance of spice and creamy-richness; just what you need after coming in from the cold. The poblano peppers, cumin, and black pepper reignite your ice laden soul, while the heavy cream and rib-stick'n grilled chicken, carrots, onion, and celery quiet your stomach's aches and pangs. Campbells can suck it!
Whitney: If you've read the captions on the photo album, you'll see Matt likens his soup to a taste of heaven. Bullshit. If you knew how much cream and butter were in it, you'd liken it to a sinful meal hastening your trip straight to hell. Mine, on the other hand, is an uber healthy, ultra-flavorful vegetarian delight. Grilled tomato, EVOO (extra virgin olive oil), garlic, onion, lemon and basil. Simple and flawless. Add a couple slices of french bread and put me in a guilt-free food coma for the night. I'm the clear winner.
Now it's your turn. Tell us which soup you think should be the winner. And none of that pansy-ass, "Ohh, they both look good." Pick ONE.
11 comments:
Okay, okay...if I HAVE to pick one...even though they both look WAY yummy...I'd have to pick Matt's.
Mostly because I'm a sucker for a cream-based soup, but also because I love a temperature hot AND spicy hot soup on a cold day when the palm trees are frozen.
Ha! Who ever thought I'd say frozen and palm trees in the same sentence?? :)
Well, by its wonderfully written description, at first I was leaning towards Matt's Poblanos...but, HELLO, it's me, Katie...the one who is basically doing another "cleanse" to start out the New Year, and thus, MUST VOTE for the healthy AND delicious choice, the grilled tomatoes alla Whitney. Not to mention the fact that it resembles the Baked Cheese and Tomato from Urban Flats...OUR FAVORITE!!
P.S. This vote is in no way, err...more than likely biased by genetics.
Sorry Whit, no meat no win. What is with people fixing "Meals" with no meat? If it has no meat it isn't a Meal it is a side. I don't doubt your side soup tastes good but I can't vote it over a meal. =)
Matt's chowda!! Whitney almost won just b/c of the "bullshit" call but then I realized I had to choose as if I were a "food"ie judge. I want both, but deny my pansy-ass nature and choose Paula Dean/Matthew Taylor. Paula Dean's recipes usually = hell, but most typically heavenly versions of said "hades"..
Grilled tomato soup, hands down! Whitney I am thinking of quitting my job and moving to Florida just so you can make me that soup.
I fought long and hard to climb the evolutionary ladder from herbivore to stay at the top with all the other carnivores. I also wear my carnivore instincts around my middle and on my pansy ass. I have to go with the chowder. For crying out loud do you remember who bought him the cookbook in the first place! I sure am glad you are enjoying it. You can't go wrong with southern cooking.
MOM YOU KNOW TOMATO IS ALWAYS MY FAVORITE AND YOUR DAD DOESN'T DO HOT OR TOMATO!!!!!!!!!!! GO FIGURE
I have to go with Whit's grilled tomato soup. Though I'd serve it with a bit of blue cheese and basil toasted onto the french bread.
-Nicole
Thanks for all the votes!!! Looks like we're tied up, so we're going to impose a 9:00 pm deadline on 1/12 (just before the UK v. UF game) to declare the official winner or agree to a tie.
Sara - come on down :)
Nicole - love the blue cheese idea!
Carnivore fanatics - perhaps adding a little bacon to my tomato soup could sway you to my side? Think BLT soup? Not that you need to add to perfection.
Mmmm, blt soup...
Gotta say Whit (though I'm late to the party) that Sara Newt would have made her soups with heavy cream and butter.
Post a Comment