Soup

This light, spicy soup is delicious hot or chilled. The sautéed aromatics turn the broth a rich red-orange, more reminiscent of tomato than watermelon. See if your guests can guess the main ingredient. Active time: 1 hr Start to finish: 1 hr (3 hr if serving chilled)

There will be enough of this delicious make-ahead soup for seconds or leftovers.

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

Pair this with frosty glasses of lager.

Pan-roasting the vegetables imparts an earthy sweetness to this dish.

What the New Sammy's menu describes as a broth is really a purée. The dish is somewhat monochromatic, but its fascinating flavor spectrum will make your mouth extremely happy.

Chicory, a bitter leaf most commonly used in salads, mellows as it cooks.

The classic cold soup, as interpreted by Ouro Branco restaurant, Vila Viçosa, Portugal.

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

Serve this terrific dish with crusty bread and soup spoons so that your guests can enjoy every last drop.

Gah Yan Tsui writes, via gourmet.com: "I recently enjoyed a delicious lunch at Aquavit in New York City. Marcus Samuelsson makes an incredible mussel and carrot soup. Would it be possible to acquire the recipe?" This soup tastes much better when made with fresh carrot juice. If you don't have a juicer, you can get some at your nearest natural foods store. Active time: 30 min Start to finish: 45 min