It’s almost that time of year again: finals season! It’s not the most wonderful time of the year, but it’s exciting because it’s almost time for tanning, swimming, and warm weather. If you’re anything like me, I’m sure you’re already anxiously awaiting your last final exam (16 days, 10 hours, and 54 minutes until I’m free).Â
While it’s normal to be stressed about these exams, if you start finding it to be too much, it’s good to take a step back and relax. After all, it’s easier to be productive when fewer worries are clouding your mind! My favorite cure for a stressful day is simple and works (almost) every time: yummy soup and a comfort show. Here are my three favorite soup and show combinations (recipes included)!
Tomato and Gilmore Girls
I know it’s spring and this is a very autumn-coded combo, but hear me out: What is cozier than an autumn night with your favorite soup, a candle, and a comfort show? Maybe a rainy day with a good book, but since we can’t control the weather, I think this is the coziest you can get without dreary weather! Tomato soup is the ultimate autumn soup, and roasting the tomatoes gives them a smoky, campfire-like flavor. Pairing it with Gilmore Girls, the ultimate autumn show, transports you back to when life was simpler (Halloweekend)! Here’s an easy recipe to dupe an autumn evening:
recipe
- 4 Tomatoes, quartered
- Oil, drizzled to liking
- 3-4 Tbsp Minced GarlicÂ
- Italian Seasoning, to taste
- Red Pepper Flakes, to taste
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- Onion Powder, to taste
- ½ Cup Heavy CreamÂ
- ¼-½ Cup Grated Parmesan
Preheat oven to 375 ℉. Quarter your tomatoes, line a baking sheet with tinfoil, place your tomatoes and drizzle with oil of your choice (I prefer olive). Season tomatoes with salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, onion powder, and Italian seasoning. Sprinkle minced garlic atop tomatoes. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until tomatoes are roasted to your liking. Take out, let cool for 5-10 minutes, then blend. Place blended tomatoes in a pot and simmer for 5-10 minutes on low heat. Try it, and adjust seasonings to taste! Slowly alternate adding heavy cream and parmesan while simmering. Once heated to your preference, you’re done!
ramen and Sex and the CityÂ
Whenever I watch Sex and the City, I get so hungry. The restaurants they have dinner at always sound so good! Just yesterday, I was watching the episode where Carrie goes out with a guy who orders “chicken teriyaki, well done” at a sushi restaurant (Season 2, Episode 14). Crazy, right? But it got me thinking about Asian cuisine…Â
As a soup connoisseur, my mind immediately went to ramen. I made a quick cup of instant noodles — a perfect pairing with the show. While I was too lazy to make good ramen last night, I do have a simple but good ramen recipe you should make next time you’re unwinding:
recipe
- Pack of Ramen NoodlesÂ
- 1 Cup Chicken StockÂ
- ½ Cup WaterÂ
- 1 Egg (optional)
- Dumplings (optional)
- Soy Sauce, to taste
- Sesame Oil, to taste
- Rice Wine Vinegar, to taste
- Frozen Veggies (to your heart’s content)
- 1-2 Tbsp Minced GarlicÂ
- 1-2 Tbsp Oil
First, heat your pan and oil of choice (again, I prefer olive, but any kind works). Add your veggies, then add minced garlic once the veggies begin to soften. Stir for 1-2 minutes. Next, add your broth and water, mix, and allow to come to a boil. While waiting for the broth to boil, add sesame oil, soy sauce, and rice wine vinegar to taste. Once the broth starts boiling, add the noodles and any dumplings you’re using. At this point, if you want to include an egg, fry in a separate pan, and top your noodles once finished cooking. That’s it!
Broccoli Cheddar and Gossip Girl
I know this sounds like a crazy pairing, but hear me out. Broccoli cheddar is a very flavorful soup. It doesn’t look like much, but there are so many layers to the flavor that result in an extremely robust and surprisingly rich taste. The same can be said about Gossip Girl. When reading a synopsis, it may seem shallow. But once you watch the show, you know most of the characters show surprising depth, despite their privileged backgrounds. Broccoli cheddar also reminds me of winter—Gossip Girl has so many iconic winter episodes. My favorite is Season 1, Episode 11, when Blair’s dad comes to New York and they go ice skating at Rockefeller!Â
To come clean, this recipe isn’t my own, like the others. I got it from my mom, who got it from this Facebook post. Nevertheless, it is amazing and you should definitely try it next time you’re craving broccoli cheddar (or Gossip Girl)!
recipe
- 1 Stick of Butter
- 1 onion, diced
- 6-8 Tbsp Minced garlic
- ÂĽ Cup Flour
- 2 Tsp Salt
- 1 Tsp Pepper
- 1 Tsp Garlic Powder
- 16 oz Chicken Broth
- 3 Cups Chopped Broccoli
- 1 ½ Cups Shredded Carrots
- 1 Cup Heavy Cream
- 4 Cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese
Cut your stick of butter into smaller pieces (this will help it melt faster) and add to a pan on medium heat. Once it begins to melt, add minced garlic and onion, let cook for 1-2 minutes. Next, mix in flour and spices. After mixing, add chicken broth, let simmer for 1-2 minutes. Then, add your carrots and broccoli. Allow to cook for about 10 minutes, or until the veggies are softened. After veggies have softened, add heavy cream, mix, then add cheese, and mix.Â
Finals are stressful, but it’s important to take care of yourself. Whether it’s a bowl of soup, decompressing with your favorite show, or a combo of the two, you deserve study breaks. Good luck, you’ve got this!