Soup

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less but requires additional unattended time.

Cooking the curry powder over low heat for a short time eliminates any raw taste and sweetens the spice.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less but requires additional unattended time.

Pureeing half of the soup (including the meat) gives it a denser consistency. While most Hungarian cooks do not top goulash with sour cream, go ahead; it adds a nice creaminess and tang.

Fermented black beans are an essential ingredient to this soup. I couldn't find exactly the kind of beans Kunkhen used, so I settled for a prepared black bean garlic sauce, which was perfect and gave the soup the same earthy taste that Kunkhen's had. I recommend that if you are using black beans you begin by adding 5 teaspoons, then taste the soup for seasoning. If it needs more flavor, add more black beans. The tablespoon of black bean garlic sauce was perfect to season this amount of soup.

Adding the whole basil leaves to the finished soup gives it a super-fresh taste.

Active time: 30 min Start to finish: 45 min

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less, but requires additional unattended time.

Yam Jin Gai Mom's chicken noodle is great, but this soup is all about heat and bold flavor. Thais typically incorporate soup into a menu rather than making it a separate course. Active time: 1 1/2 hr Start to finish: 5 1/2 hr (includes making stock)

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less but requires additional unattended time.

Fish from the Mediterranean waters is put to a variety of uses in Tunisian cuisine, and a simple soup such as this one of the most common. It's flavored with an appealing blend of herbs, spices and citrus.

(POTAGE AU POTIRON)