Simple Soups: Sixty Shortcut Recipes for Every Occasion

Kennedy suggests that soups are due greater consideration as one-dish meals, but her short collection fails to put much weight behind her arguments. This short collection offers basic stocks--chicken, beef, fish and vegetables--tailgated by varieties of hot and cold soups, bisques and chowders, none of which breaks new ground. Her offerings include tasty old-fashioned chicken soup, easy gazpacho and a delicate stracciatella. For many of her readers, however, soup will likely remain either the beginning of a meal, or the heart of a lighter repast, that is filled out by accompaniments. (Mar.)