Recipes

Slightly tangy, refreshing, and simple to prepare, this crimson soup is an elegant way to enjoy berries. Serve it warm or chilled for dessert or as a first course. It will keep for up to 2 days in a covered container in the refrigerator.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cranberry juice cocktail
• 1 cup fresh raspberries
• 1 cup hulled and sliced fresh strawberries
• 1/2 cup fresh blueberries
• 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
• 1 cinnamon stick
• Pinch of ground cloves
• 1/4 cup red wine, preferably a fruity wine, such as Zinfandel
• Thin lemon slices for garnish

Preparation:

1. Combine all ingredients, except wine and lemon slices, in a medium saucepan; bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Remove from heat and let cool until warm.
2. Remove and discard the cinnamon stick and stir in the wine.
3. Serve immediately. Or refrigerate in a covered container until chilled, at least 4 hours, before serving. Garnish each serving with a lemon slice.

Yield:
2 1/2 cups (4 servings)

Nutritional Information:
Per serving: 124 calories, 0.4 g protein, 29 g carbohydrate, 0.3 g fat, 0 g saturated fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 1.8 g fiber, 5 mg sodium. Calories from fat: 3%.

Recipe from The Simple Soups Deck by Paulette Mitchell and Maryana Vollstedt, Chronicle Books, 2006; and A Beautiful Bowl of Soup by Paulette Mitchell, Chronicle Books, 2004. Reprinted with permission of the author.