The Simple Soups Deck: 50 Easy Recipes for Satisfying Soups    by Maryana Vollstedt & Paulette Mitchell Order:  USA  Can Chronicle, 2008 (2008) Hardcover     Reviewed by Hilary Williamson Having sons heading off to live on their own, I was on the look-out for simple recipe collections to offer them. The Simple Soups Deck - one of a series of card decks from Chronicle Books, including 50 recipes for both simple soups and stews - fits the bill perfectly. The fold-out card at the front quotes the Spanish proverb: 'Of soup and love, the first is best' and goes on to talk about soup's 'glorious possibilities' for entertaining. Techniques explain the use of stock (bought or made from scratch); discuss the use of dried versus fresh herbs; and talk about simmering soups. Individual cards are organized under: Stocks (vegetable, chicken and beef); 25 Vegetable Soups; 5 Seafood Soups; 6 Poultry Soups; 12 Beef, Pork & Lamb Soups; and even 2 Fruit Soups (Berry-Wine and Gingered Pear). Although this is called a Simple Soups Deck, it also includes quite a few recipes for stews, like Classic Oyster Stew, Chicken Gumbo, and Irish Stew. Each card starts with a preparation or serving tip, followed by a list of ingredients, instructions on cooking and serving, and the number of portions that result. I plan to start simmering Chestnut Soup, Cauliflower & Fennel Soup, Carrot Vichysoisse, and Good Old Split-Pea Soup, but I'm sure you'll find your own favorites. As the author/chefs remind us, Soup's On! Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more NonFiction books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews