The beer in this soup gives it a surprise kick and mellows the sweetness of the carrot and parsnip. Thick and textured, and practically a stew, it’s a hugely filling, nutritionally sound soup that’s also a snap to put together.

From the Mennonite cookbook, Simply in Season.

A crunchy pickle. Great alongside sandwiches or something meaty and rich like meatloaf.

From Monique Siu and Kevin Gibson of Castagna

Monique Siu and Kevin Gibson of Castagna share their simple and very quick vegetable stock.

Boost the mushroom flavor in mushroom soup or gravy by substituting this recipe for traditional chicken or vegetable stock.

Good-quality, unused vegetable parts, such as trimmed asparagus stalks, make a terrific base for soup stock.