Bring in the rain, bring in the hot soup!

This rainy season, cozy up with a bowl of your favorite rainy day comfort food to warm the hungry tummy. Dig in for a clear vegetable soup of utan bisaya or clam soup, or a thick, creamy, filling seafood chowder or pumpkin soup or congee—ever present in the dining table at the onset of June.

Here are a few simple recipes to prepare when it starts to drizzle:

Arroz Caldo

In a pot, sauté onion, garlic and ginger in hot cooking oil. Throw in the chicken cut into bite-size pieces. Season with salt and freshly cracked black pepper.  Sauté until brown. Add water. To make your broth tastier, add fish sauce. Add the porridge. Mix. Season to taste. Serve. Add slices of cooked egg, roasted garlic and minced scallions on top!

Tom Yum

In a large saucepan, pour chicken broth and coconut milk. Over medium heat, add sugar, chili garlic sauce and lime leaves. Cover and bring to a boil. Add bite-size pieces of chicken, tomatoes, mushroom and peeled shrimps. Stir occasionally until chicken is cooked. Pour a little amount of lime juice and fish sauce to taste. Finish by adding freshly chopped cilantro.

Chicken Macaroni Soup

In a large pot, sauté onion and garlic. Add water and bite-size pieces of chicken. Bring to a boil.  When the meat is cooked, add the elbow macaroni pasta. Stir occasionally. Add the chopped carrots, potatoes, and cabbage strips. Let it simmer. Add evaporated milk and chopped cooked ham. Stir. Season with salt and pepper. Serve.

Tomato Soup

Melt butter in a sauce pan. Sauté diced carrot, onion and celery. Add freshly chopped basil, minced garlic and red bell pepper. Sauté until cooked. Add diced tomatoes and water. Let it simmer for 30 minutes.  Place it in a blender and puree until very smooth.   Place the mixture in a pan and simmer. Stir in milk or cream. Season with salt and pepper.

So,  curl up with a bowl of any of these soups and feel good!