ML Interest Tag: tomato-soup

Soups On! PDX’s Hottest Soup Carts for Comfort Food on the Go

by Kelley Gardiner

Soup, soup, beautiful soup. When it comes to food carts, PDX is king and soup is no exception. From steamy ramen to Hungarian mushroom to classic tomato, Portland’s array of soup carts offer fast, filling meals for on-the-go families. And with added bonuses like grilled sandwiches and even mac ‘n’ cheese, there’s always something for the littles while you get your soup on. Read on to discover where to get your next belly-warming cup of comfort.

photo: Trina W. via Yelp

Portland Soup Company
The recipes change with the seasons, to reflect what’s available as well as what might sound good. In summer, you might find a gazpacho. In winter, Hungarian mushroom. Any time of year, there are usually three choices, and one of them is a classic tomato soup. If junior isn’t having it, there’s always mac and cheese to fall back on. Open during the week for lunch only.

1941 SW 4th Ave.
Portland
503-987-0217
Online: portlandsoup.com

photo: Noemi M. via Yelp

Umai 
Warm, belly-filling ramen is all the rage in Portland right now, with new restaurants opening all the time. Umai serves up their Umai Ramen (Shio, Shoyu or Miso base), or a vegetarian version featuring eggplant instead of pork shoulder. Be prepared to slurp your noodles near the cart, or pay $.50 for to go containers. This cart is serious about sustainability. (Note: This cart closed for vacation until Sep.23. Check the website for details.)

SE 33rd at Hawthorne (Behind the Hazel Room)
503-502-4428
Online: umaipdx.com

photo: Julie H. via Yelp

Hapa 
More ramen comes streaming out the window at Hapa. Choose traditional Shoyu Ramen or a more modern Tonkotsu style, then settle down for people-watching at the popular Tidbit Food cart pod.

SE Division St. & SE 28th Pl.
503-560-0393
Online: hapapdx.com

photo: treeny t. via Yelp

Savor Soup House
Savor Soup House has four soups that rotate on a weekly basis. For example, on a recent Thursday, you could get tomato with fennel and orange, sweet potato kale & coconut, pulled pork pozole and a borscht. In fact, you can get that popular tomato soup any day of the week, and it’s served with croutons and parmesan. Mmmm. Vegans, vegetarians and gluten-free eaters can find a suitable option every day, too.

1003 SW Alder St.
503-548-7652
Online: savorsouphouse.com

photo: Joshua C. via Yelp

Chowdah
This cart normally has three soups on: a seasonal, a veggie, and of course, the namesake New England clam chowder. Word is that they don’t skimp on the clams, either. Soups to go are available, as well as grilled cheese sandwiches. They also make one of the best Philly cheesesteaks with homemade cheese sauce. If you’re a meat-eater, get one.

7316 N. Lombard St.
503-867-2475
Online: facebook.com/chowdahpdx

Spoons
Spoons serves up soups, salads, and wraps to the hungry downtown lunch crowd. You’ll always find vegetarian or gluten-free options, and all cups and bowls are served with rustic Italian bread. A recent Friday menu offered Tuscan tomato, Hungarian mushroom, New England clam chowder and pepper & corn with smoked pork. Hungry yet?

SW 5th and Stark
503-522-3576
Online: facebook.com/SpoonsOn5th

photo: Michael S. via Yelp

Grilled Cheese Grill
Okay, it’s not exactly a soup cart, but what goes better with a bowl of tomato soup than a grilled cheese sandwich? Besides, you can get a plain ol’ grilled cheese or a cup of tomato soup for just $2.50. That’s tough to beat when you’re out and about. At the Alberta location, your kids will clamor to eat inside the retro school bus, retrofitted with tables and seats.

SW 10th and Alder
NE 11th & Alberta
Online: grilledcheesegrill.com

What’s your favorite tummy-warming soup from a cart? Let us know in the comments!

—Kelley Gardiner

featured photo: Jessica R via Yelp

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Cream of Tomato Soup

by Erin Lem

When food blogger Mary of The Cake Chica was craving winter comfort food she turned to this recipe for cream of tomato soup. Using the freshest ingredients (and organic when possible) this soup, which is guaranteed to warm you up on a winter day, takes only two steps. And, it’s made even easier with the help of a blender or food processor. Mary suggests serving with grilled cheese or a ham sandwich for a complete comfort meal.

Serves: 6

Ingredients:

Soup:
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
2-28 ounce canned organic whole peeled tomatoes, not drained
1/2 cup beef stock
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoons kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
1 1/2 cups organic heavy cream

Garnish:
1 medium tomato, cored, seeded and finely chopped
Chopped fresh parsley
Heavy cream

Method:
1. In a large saucepan, over medium heat melt the butter. Add onion and garlic and sauté for about 5 minutes or until tender. Stir in the tomatoes, beef stock, sugar, salt, baking soda, pepper and nutmeg. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer uncovered for 10 minutes.

2. Transfer soup to a food processor or blender, cover and puree until smooth. Return the soup to the pan and stir in the cream. Cook over medium-low heat for about 5 minutes but do not boil. Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with chopped tomatoes, parsley and a swirl of cream.

We love this dish for its simplicity. Will you add this recipe to your soup rotation?

To see more great recipes that use just fresh ingredients, hop on over to Mary’s food blog, The Cake Chica, where you’ll never see any Hamburger Helper, spam or canned soup recipes.

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Baked Ravioli Recipe Perfect for Chilly Nights

by scott wardell

Time to spice up the weekday pasta routine with this tasty dish from Jennifer at Laughter and Grace. With just a few simple ingredients, you can make a delicious meat sauce to cover your ravioli, giving these bite-sized kinds of pasta a flavor boost. Best of all? This meal yields plenty of leftovers, so you’ll have more to eat for tomorrow, too.

 

Ingredients
1 package of refrigerated cheese-filled ravioli
1 lb cooked ground beef
4 tbsp spaghetti seasoning
16 oz can diced tomatoes, undrained
16 oz can condensed tomato soup
1 1/2 c shredded mozzarella cheese

Method
1. Cook ground beef in saucepan until no longer pink. Drain off grease. Stir together ground beef, diced tomatoes, tomato soup, and seasoning.

2. Allow meat sauce to simmer while you cook the ravioli. Boil ravioli per package directions.

3. Gently stir meat sauce and ravioli together until the pasta is coated.

4. Pour into an 8×8 baking dish and cover with cheese.

5. Bake in a 350 degree oven for about 20 minutes. Remove when cheese starts to brown on top.

recipe courtesy of Jennifer of Laughter and Grace; photo courtesy of LibAmanda

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New and Cool: Härth Restaurant’s Foodie-in-Training Menu

by Ayren Jackson-Cannady

In a restaurant that produces 200 pounds of honey per year (from their own bees housed on the roof), and an organic garden that grows some of the world’s hottest peppers, kids don’t traditionally come to mind when you think of Härth restaurant. But because of the new Foodie-in-Training menu, dedicated to making sure the littlest diners have healthy and tasty plates that also tantalize their tastebuds, a brunch date with your brood at this hot spot is now a reservation must.

Palate Pleasing Choices
Even if your kiddo’s palate only chooses staples like mac and cheese, noodles or bread, they might just be convinced to join the F.I.T. Club with choices like Creamy Tomato Soup, Margherita Flatbread, and Truffled Mac and Cheese. Our little taste tester devoured the soup, and couldn’t get enough of the flatbread—that we lied and told her was pizza (so it wasn’t really a lie!). The Truffled Mac and Cheese was also a hit, especially after our date dissolved into giggles when she was told that pigs sniffed out her truffles!

Still Hungry?
Kiddos with bigger appetites—aka bottomless pits—who adore chicken nuggets might change their tune when they taste the Roasted Chicken Breast with fresh veggies and mashed potatoes. Adventurous fish lovers may refuse to eat fish sticks ever again once they eat the Fish of the Day with spinach. They’ll never know it’s good for them. Promise. Fans of noodles will love the Pork and Veal Meatballs because they come set like a flower next to a delicious pile of angel hair pasta so that little ones can mix away, or eat in pairs

Grown Up Mocktails
For anyone that ever ordered a Shirley Temple as a kid, and wondered as an adult, how they drank it, they might want to try a sip of their kiddo’s Apple Snap or No-Jito mocktail. Homemade ginger beer (our taste tester grinned when she thought she was having beer like Daddy) and apple cider are spiced with fresh lemon for a taste of fall that even grownups will want to sip. The No-Jito is made with white cranberry and apple juice, muddled mint, lime and soda. It is so tasty you’ll want to double check that it is indeed for kids!

Dazzling Desserts
Most kids would rather skip dinner—or any meal—and head straight to dessert. After sampling some of härth’s desserts you’ll be tempted too. Our mini taste tester couldn’t shovel in the Little Apple Pie fast enough. Puff pastry, custard and local apples formed an apple pie that might rival all the apple tartlets in Paris – and Grandma’s Apple Pie we’ll devour in a few weeks (Shhh). Berry lovers can tuck into a bowl of marinated strawberries with vanilla ice cream, and chocolate lovers will go crazy for Chef Luc’s Chocolate Mousse Cake. Don’t be surprised if Junior asks for it when his birthday rolls around.

Härth
Hilton McLean Tysons Corner
7920 Jones Branch Rd. (McLean, Va)
703-847-5000
Online: hiltonmclean.com

Have you been to Härth with kids? What were your favorite dishes? Tell us in the Comments section below.  

—Hilary Riedemann

Photos: Hilary Riedemann

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Eight Great Sammie Spots for the Smalls

by Phebe Wahl

Next time you are lunching with the littles why not think beyond chicken and fries? In honor of National Sandwich Day, we’ve rounded up eight great spots (all with high-chairs and kid-pleasing plates) to score a sandwich with the smalls.

Tom + Chee
This place serves up grilled cheese and tomato soup the way Warhol painted Marilyn. They take a beautiful thing, make it more interesting, add a dash of crazy, and repeat. I mean, the Today Show even dubbed their grilled cheese donut the “Best New Sandwich in America.” That warrants a trip OTP all by itself.

The Extras: Not sure your little foodies are quite ready to try a bacon-blue cheese-mozzarella? No worries. They have a menu for kids that sizzles with the standards: grilled cheese and tomato soup.

Details: Tom + Chee, 1200 Ernest Barrett Pkwy., Suite 208, Kennesaw, 678-498-8321

Victory Sandwich Bar
If the sandwiches don’t appease the littles, the grown-up drinks will at least make the ensuing meltdown less caustic. But we digress (and we are pretty darn sure the kids will be well pleased by the sandwich offerings). Did we mention that they have a ping-pong table in the back?

The Extras: Order a Hambo for your kiddo and let ‘em loose! They’ll love the prosciutto, mozzarella, arugula, and apple combination, and what was that? Oh! Yes! You did just feed your kid all four food groups in one bite. Go, you!

Details: Victory Sandwich Bar, 340 Church Street, Decatur, 404-377-9300

Whichwich
We all know how kids like to control their own destiny, and at Which Wich, they’ll get more than a killer sandwich. They’ll get a taste of freedom. With over 50 different sandwiches on the regular menu, not to mention unlimited customizable options, this sandwich shop literally has something for everyone. System overload? No worries. They also offer a kids menu with six tried-and-true options (PB&J, roast beef, pizza-wich), and yes, you can order yours crustless.

The Extras: Kids will love using the back of their own bag as an order form, and after they get it back filled with their own designer sammie, they can keep the party going with the games printed on the other side of the bag.

Details: Which Wich, Atlantic Station, 265 18th St. NW Ste. 4100, 404-254-3260, Emory Point, 1699 Clifton Rd., Suite B-150, 404-549-8889, and Brookhaven, 804 Town Blvd., Suite A1035,  404-474-6314

Fickle Pickle
While you’re noshing on a fried green tomato sandwich with tomato jam, arugula, basil, and homemade mayo, your kiddos will be happily munching on their Little Gherkins meal, which includes a standard (grilled cheese, PB&J, turkey and cheese) with a drink, cookie, and a side. Go on a Tuesday and kids eat free with the purchase of an adult entree.

The Extras: Located in a Victorian home built in the 1800s in historic Roswell, The Fickle Pickle will make your kids think you’ve taken them to eat at a long-lost grandmother’s house. With a giant pickle on the porch.

Details: The Fickle Pickle, 1085 Canton St, Roswell, 770-650-9838

Souper Jenny
This Buckhead institution serving up soups, sandwiches, and salads six days a week is now open in Decatur, as well. The vibe is as funky and homespun as in Buckhead, and the littles will love the daily peanut butter offering (benefitting PB&J for Good, an initiative against Severe Acute Nutrition). While there’s no dedicated kid menu, the kiddos will love the comfy and eclectic feel of each location. Just be sure to go early or late in the lunch hour, as comfy can turn chaotic during prime time.

The Extras: Thursday nights are still grilled cheese nights at Souper Jenny, only now in the new Decatur location. Take the kids there for some gooey goodness and delight them with s’mores for dessert.

Details: Souper Jenny, Buckhead Location, 56 East Andrews Dr. NW, 404-239-9023, and 1 West Court Square, Decatur, 404-378-1500

Cafe at Pharr
Want a healthy option for the kiddos? Head to Cafe at Pharr where their bread is made fresh daily and their chicken salad, which wins the kid approved purist award (nothing but some bird and a little celery), delights both young and old.

The Extras: Do you have a budding artists in your ranks? Super friendly employees encourage artistry by providing paper and crayons to kiddos who ask, then proudly display their renditions of the Cafe in the restaurant.

Details: Cafe at Pharr, Five locations in Brookhaven, Buckhead, Westside, Vinings, and Miami Circle

Henri’s Bakery
Henri’s could serve up an asparagus aspic and your kids would eat it, just for the chance to check out their incredible seasonal treats and displays in the bakery and ordering lobby, but luckily for us all, they don’t. Instead, you can count on Henri’s for delicious standards (turkey and cheese, roast beef, ham) which can be grilled, added to, and are perfect for sharing.

The Extras: While they don’t have crayons or coloring pages, you won’t need entertainment at Henri’s. With outside dining (complete with brave little birds to entertain the littles) and incredible interior decorations, they will be far from bored. Need a little coaxing? The bakery case is the bomb.

Details: Henri’s Bakery, Buckhead location, 61 Irby Ave NW, Atlanta, GA, (404) 237-0202 and Sandy Springs location, 6289 Roswell Rd. NE, 404-256-7934

Downwind
Not only does Downwind offer the excitement of the airplane take-offs and landings just outside the window at PDK, but they also serve us satisfying sandwiches that the littles will love. Get there early for a roast turkey breast sandwich as they tend to fly out of the kitchen.

The Extras: While Downwind is open for lunch and dinner most nights, be sure to steer clear from the spot on Friday evenings, when it’s adults-only. Outside of that, the kids are clear for take-off to enjoy Downwind’s good food and great view.

Details: Downwind Restaurant, 2000 Airport Rd, Chamblee, 770-452-0973

Burgers more your bag? Click here. Tell us where your gang likes to score a sammie in the comments section below!

—Shelley Massey

Photos courtesy of Tom + Chee and Victory Sandwich Bar via Facebook, The Fickle Pickle via Facebook, Cafe at Pharr, Andrew L. and Daniel B. via Yelp and the author

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D.I.Y. Dining: “Build-Your-Own” Restaurants in Atlanta

by Phebe Wahl

To each his own certainly applies to mealtime with your munchkins. If you sometimes tire of being a short order cook or are simply a parent of a picky preschooler, here’s the dish on four spots where kids can engineer their meals just the way they want ‘em! From stir-fry to grilled cheese—read on for four spots where tots can get in on some foodie fun.

Tom + Chee
When it comes to tot-approved, comfort food, nothing beats a grilled cheese and tomato soup. Tom + Chee’s build-your-own grilled cheese menu lets the littles choose their own bread, cheese, toppings and extras. With bread options that include “glazed donut” (whaaat?) to cheese choices including brie and smoked Gouda, you know that this classic combo has the potential to get very adventurous! If you’re leaning towards lighter options, check out their assortment of fresh salads, homemade dressings and even gluten-free bread.
1200 Ernest Barrett Pkwy., 
Kennesaw, tomandchee.com

Real Chow Baby
Ready to let your kiddo’s inner chef come out? You can’t go wrong with a scrumptious build-your-own stir-fry from the Real Chow Baby. You start out by filling a bowl with your choice of noodles or rice. Then add all the veggies, meat, or seafood you want. Don’t forget the yummy sauces and extra spices. With over 70 fresh ingredients, your brood can get creative and design their own dish. Or, if you prefer the tried and true, you can follow one of the recipes listed above the stir-fry bar. Then sit back and wait as the chef turns your selections into a sizzling stir-fry, soup or salad! The Inside Scoop: Monday night is kid’s night at all chow baby locations! You can score a free kids meal with the purchase of an adult meal.
1016 Howell Mill Rd., poncebaby.com

Your Pie
This build-your-own pizza restaurant hails from Athens, and now boasts a shiny new location in Buckhead. You move through the line and customize your personal sized pizza by choosing from traditional topping choices—but the sauces are where Your Pie gets a little bolder. Check out options like Ranchy Marinara, Sun Dried Tomato or Thai. And since this is a personal pie, you don’t have to limit yourself to the toppings the kiddos want. Next, they pop your pizza into one of those beautiful brick ovens and voilà! Your pie.
The Inside Scoop: Got a kiddo with a gluten allergy? Not only does Your Pie have gluten-free crust, but they can prepare your gluten-free pizza in a special oven, making it even safer for those with food allergies.
5 West Paces Ferry Rd., yourpie.com

The Counter
Roswell families keep this burger joint hopping. Step up to the counter and you’ll find a menu chock full of tempting treats like fried pickles, chili and hand-spun milk shakes. But the real draw here is the build-your-own menu. Grab your pencil and start selecting from an enticing assortment of options. You can think outside of the burger box and go with ahi tuna or bison and choose from delish sauces such as roasted garlic aoli or sweet sriracha. Of course kiddos who like to keep their burgers simple will fare well with the kid’s mini cheeseburgers.
The Inside Scoop: If the thought of making one more decision exhausts you, choose from one of their “expert builds,” pre-determined burgers for those who don’t want to have to think about it!
850 Mansell Rd., 
Roswell, thecounterburger.com

Where does your little D.I.Y.-er like to dine? Give us the dish in the comments section below!

—Candice Rose

Photos courtesy of Tom + Chee, Real Chow Baby, Your Pie, and The Counter via Facebook

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