Soups are the ultimate in comfort food, and whether you want a winter warmer for a frosty day, a refreshing broth, or an elegant appetizer for a special meal, there is a recipe here to suit every occasion. An informative introduction provides essential information about basic ingredients and techniques, and contains advice about buying and storing vegetables, lentils, beans, peas, meat, fish, pasta, spices, herbs, oils and other flavourings. There are also invaluable basic recipes for making home-made stocks and garnishes that will elevate your soups to new heights. Then comes a choice of more than 120 specially selected step-by-step recipes from all over the world that are perfect for every preference, diet and occasion. Choose from familiar classic favourites such as French Onion Soup with Gruyere Croutons, Old Fashioned Chicken Noodle Soup, or Cock-a-leekie with Puy Lentils and Thyme, or try something a bit more exotic and adventurous, like spicy Tom Yam Gung with Tofu, Creamy Heart of Palm Soup, or Pad Thai Red Monkfish Soup. With clear, step-by-step instructions illustrated by more than 440 beautiful colour photographs and complete nutritional information for each dish, this is the ultimate cookbook, kitchen reference and collection of soup recipes for lovers of good food everywhere.