Water-based soups are great, but many soups are indisputably better when made with meat stock. Of course you don’t always have stock, and there are short cuts that produce in-between soups. One of the easiest and most effective ways of making a potent soup quickly and without stock is to start with a small piece of prosciutto or other dry-cured ham. The long aging process this meat undergoes—almost always a year or more—ensures an intense flavor that is quickly transferred to anything in which it is cooked, including water. To save time, chop the vegetables and add them one at a time while you’re rendering the ham; by the time you’re done chopping, you’ll have added all the ingredients except water. And if you bring the water to a boil before you begin chopping, you really minimize cooking time, producing a thick, rich soup in less than thirty minutes. Do not omit the final drizzle of olive oil; its freshness really brings this soup to life.
Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.
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This classic 15-minute sauce is your secret weapon for homemade mac and cheese, chowder, lasagna, and more.
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This flexible recipe is all you need to bring this iconic Provençal seafood stew to your table.
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Round out these autumn greens with tart pomegranate seeds, crunchy pepitas, and a shower of Parmesan.