Winter Fun! (or Summer) Let's Have a Party! Who Wants Soup?

It's party time!  Bring a board game and your favorite soup!

A soup party?  Probably never thought of it. Right? But it's a great idea!

January may be National Soup Month, but people start celebrating as soon as the autumn season arrives.  A soup party is great fun!  Especially if you live in places where you get to experience the changes of the seasons. That means you don't live in Florida, Texas, or Hawaii, or other places with a tropical climate. The climate in these places really doesn't get you in the mood to savor a hearty bowl of steaming hot soup. 

But if you're in Maryland or Virginia and the winter season comes, there's that chilly nip in the air that makes you feel frisky. There's also a light dusting of snow on the ground outside, and inside is nice and warm and cozy because you decided it's cold enough to get a fire started in the fireplace. The only thing you need to complete this idyllic scene is the aroma of a tasty pot of soup coming from the kitchen. My late spouse says that if you grew up in a tropical environment, snow and cold weather can cause depression. There is some truth to that, but it does not have to be like that. The winter season seems to make a lot of people cheerful, and they get even happier when their insatiable craving for soup is satisfied.

 
So! Do you want to get together on the weekend with a group of friends and play board games like Monopoly, Scrabble, Chess, or A Game of Thrones for hours and hours? Invite them to a soup party! 

You prepare your favorite soup. Tell your friends to bring theirs, as if it's a potluck celebration. Make sure there's lots of warm bread or rolls, plenty of salad, and a never-ending supply of tea or lemonade.

Soup party not your idea of a good time? OK. Giving credit where credit is due, it wasn't my original idea either. Got it from a cookbook called Entertaining With Ease. For me, it is fun! Also, this would be great for me because domestic diva/goddess and perfect party hostess, I am not! This book is a Better Homes and Gardens® publication, and the copyright is 1984. For decades, it has been my Go-To guide for recipes, cooking tips, and entertaining.   For Your Information:  My fave soup recipe must include seasoned chunky chicken thigh pieces, sliced links of a spicy Italian turkey sausage, diced potatoes AND beans (red, black, no matter) OR peas (black-eyed peas, purple hull peas, crowder peas), and a green leafy vegetable; preferably kale, but mixed greens, spinach, or bok choy are all acceptable substitutes (the greener the leaf, the better). The rolls and salad are optional. There's a recipe in the cookbook for a hot and hearty sausage soup, which I varied slightly and made my own.


By the way, you can also use this idea for summer fun.  Do you like cold soups like vichyssoise and gazpacho?

Image credit:  glitter-graphics.com

Do you have a favorite soup recipe?

KOVOT Set of 4 Speckled Ceramic Soup Bowls With Spoons - 22-Oz Each
 

* * *

Ever Pair a Drink With a Cozy Mystery Book? Make It a Holiday Tradition!

Hi, blog readers and visitors!  I'm pairing this blog post with a post from my entertainment blog titled Books: Reading List: Five (5) Popular Cozy Mysteries Published 2020 and Beyond!

Here are festive, cozy drink pairings for each book — “Sip While You Sleuth”. Have fun! 🍵📚

(AI art using CoPilot)

---

🎄 The Mistletoe Mystery — Nita Prose

Drink Pairing: Classic Hot Chocolate with Peppermint

Sweet, comforting, and a little nostalgic—just like Molly Gray herself. The peppermint adds a gentle holiday twist without overpowering the cozy calm of the story.

Optional Garnish: Whipped cream + crushed candy cane
Mocktail-Friendly: Already perfect as is!

---

🧶 It Came Upon a Midnight Shear — Allie Pleiter

Drink Pairing: Mulled Apple Cider

Warm spices, apples, and a hint of citrus mirror the small-town charm and crafty atmosphere of a knitting shop during the holidays.

Spice Tip: Cinnamon sticks, cloves, and orange slices

---

🎅 Rest Ye Murdered Gentlemen — Vicki Delany

Drink Pairing: Eggnog (Classic or Dairy-Free)

A town that celebrates Christmas year-round deserves the most iconic holiday drink of all. Rich, indulgent, and unapologetically festive.

Flavor Boost: Nutmeg + vanilla
Lighter Option: Almond-milk eggnog with cinnamon

---

📚 The Thursday Murder Club — Richard Osman

Drink Pairing: English Breakfast Tea with Milk & Honey

Comforting, traditional, and best enjoyed slowly—just like the clever conversations and gentle humor among the Thursday Murder Club members.

Upgrade Idea: Serve with shortbread or a biscotti
Evening Swap: Earl Grey or chamomile for late-night reading

Here’s a simple, comforting recipe.

---

🍵 Ingredients

• 1 English Breakfast tea bag (or 1 teaspoon loose-leaf tea)
• 1 cup freshly boiled water
• 2–3 teaspoons milk (whole, oat, or your preferred type)
• 1–2 teaspoons honey (adjust to taste)

---

🫖 Instructions

1. Boil water: Bring fresh water to a rolling boil.
2. Steep tea: Place the tea bag (or loose tea in an infuser) in a mug. Pour hot water over it and steep for 3–5 minutes, depending on how strong you like it.
3. Add milk: Remove the tea bag/infuser, then stir in milk.
4. Sweeten: Add honey and stir until dissolved.
5. Serve: Enjoy hot, optionally garnished with a sprinkle of cinnamon for extra warmth.

---

✨ Tips

• Use whole milk for a richer taste, or oat milk for a nutty, dairy-free option.
• Adjust steeping time: shorter for a lighter cup, longer for a stronger brew.
• A dash of vanilla extract can add a cozy twist. 

---

🕯️ Blackmail and Bibingka — Mia P. Manansala

Drink Pairing: Hot Coconut Latte* OR Ginger Tea

Coconut and ginger complement the Filipino holiday flavors featured in the story and pair beautifully with bibingka-inspired notes.

Fun Twist: Add a pinch of cinnamon or toasted coconut flakes
Non-Coffee Option: Ginger tea with honey and lemon

*To make it more festive, make a peppermint-coconut latte variation.  You will combine strong coffee or espresso with a heated and frothed mixture of full-fat canned coconut milk, peppermint extract, and your choice of sweetener.  Here’s a cozy, dairy-free–friendly Hot Peppermint-Coconut “Latte” — festive, comforting, and perfect for sipping while reading a holiday mystery ☕🌴🎄

---

Hot Peppermint-Coconut Latte

Serves: 1
Time: 5–7 minutes

Ingredients

• ¾ cup coconut milk (full-fat for extra creaminess, or light if preferred)

• ¼ cup strong brewed coffee or espresso
  (for caffeine-free: substitute strong peppermint tea)

• ¼ tsp peppermint extract
  (start small — peppermint is powerful!)

• 1–2 tsp maple syrup, honey, or sugar (to taste)

• Pinch of salt (optional, but enhances flavor)

• Optional: pinch of vanilla extract

Toppings (Optional but Fun!)

• Whipped coconut cream

• Crushed peppermint candy or candy-cane dust

• Toasted coconut flakes

• Dark chocolate shavings

---

Instructions

1. Heat the coconut milk in a small saucepan over medium-low heat until steaming (do not boil).

2. Whisk in sweetener, peppermint extract, vanilla (if using), and salt.

3. Brew coffee or espresso and pour it into your favorite mug.

4. Add the hot coconut milk mixture to the coffee.

5. Froth or whisk for extra foam, if desired.

6. Top and serve immediately — preferably with a cozy book and blanket.

---

Flavor Variations

• Chocolate Peppermint Coconut Latte: Add 1 tsp cocoa powder or chocolate syrup while heating the milk.

• Extra Festive: Add a tiny pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg.

• No Coffee Version: Use hot peppermint tea or hot water instead of coffee. 

---

 ☕🔍✨

Recipe Sharing: Chili Cornbread Salad (Guest Post)

In Texas, chili is a big deal! In the South (Southern states of the USA) folks love cornbread. I am from the South and currently live in Texas and I found a recipe that is a winner! I have no doubt that this dish will show up a church fellowships and other happy gatherings.

Chili Cornbread Salad ~ Recipe found here.

INGREDIENTS:
1 package (8-1/2 ounces) cornbread/muffin mix
1 can (4 ounces) chopped green chilies, undrained
1/8 teaspoon ground cumin
1/8 teaspoon dried oregano
Pinch rubbed sage
1 cup mayonnaise
1 cup (8 ounces) sour cream
1 envelope ranch salad dressing mix
2 cans (15 ounces each) pinto beans, rinsed and drained
2 cans (15-1/4 ounces each) whole kernel corn, drained
3 medium tomatoes, chopped
1 cup chopped green pepper
1 cup chopped green onions
10 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

METHOD:
Prepare cornbread batter according to package directions. Stir in chilies, cumin, oregano and sage. Spread in a greased 8-in. square baking pan. Bake at 400° for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool.

In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, sour cream and dressing mix; set aside. Crumble half of the cornbread into a 13x9-in. dish. Layer with half of the beans, mayonnaise mixture, corn, tomatoes, green pepper, onions, bacon and cheese. Repeat layers (dish will be very full). Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours.

How Bread Dipping Oil Can Save Your Next Impromptu Gathering (Guest Post)

No one would argue with you if you claimed to have never thought about bread dipping oil outside of certain Italian restaurants. Then again, why would you? We’ve come to know this little tasty treat as something to help tide us over while we wait for our main course, and in some cases, the dipping oil was much more satisfying. The thing is that bread dipping oil is starting to make a name for itself in home entertainment as a way of jazzing up the snack game. No longer are big bowls of chips and dip acceptable as snacks for guests (actually, who are we kidding — they are). Even if you have surprise guests, the expectation of having a nice snack on-hand is enough to start making bread dipping oil very chic nowadays.

The fact is we are also a very social species that hates to disappoint. If you have family or friends come by your place without prior notice, it can be a little unnerving, but you still want to be a good host. Then again, maybe it’s more than just someone dropping by. Maybe you’re out with the gang and someone calls your place for the after-party. Everyone is stoked, and even though you’re “high-fiving” everyone, deep down, you’re terrified because you may not have enough Vienna sausages for a group.

So, how big a deal is bread dipping oil? Here are a few ways it can really save the day:

Simplicity to the Core — Good extra virgin olive oil, salt, and pepper. That’s it. Have some nice bread available, and you’ve got all you need.

Keep Ingredients in the Pantry — Seasonings like salt and pepper are always a part of any kitchen, and along with these staples, you may already cook with olive oil. With such a perfect combination ready to go, it makes you wonder why you have some much other stuff in your pantry.

Save Money — There’s no need to order food or pilfer your fridge and freezer for snacks. And chances are that once you buy the ingredients you’d need for your dip, you probably won’t have to buy them again for a bit.

Can Set the Scene — Impromptu gatherings can sometimes come at the worst time because you’re just not up for it. Still, these are also the type of get-togethers that really turn into some happening parties. Your dip can play to each possibility.

Though the biggest selling point about bread dipping oil is its simplicity, you can really amp up the flavor in very unique ways. You can get a little crazy with the type of salt and pepper you use. Probably the biggest flavor bomb you can drop on your guests is using locally-sourced quality olive oil for the dip. Find the right bottle, and you can literally forget adding a single thing to the oil.

Texas Hill Country Olive Company in Dripping Springs, Texas has bread dipping oil that will make your next get-together the stuff of legends.

* * Article Writer: ALFRED MEARS

Image credit: Tuscan Herbs,Garlic, Basil, Truffle Flavored Extra Virgin Olive Oil, 8.5-Ounce Bottles (Pack of 4) by Grand'aroma