I am the type of cook that can't cook small portions. If I am cooking I figure it is almost the same amount of time, effort and energy to cook for a small family as it is to cook for a small army. My meals take the shape of my containers, most of which are catering-size.
I freeze the excess, drop it around to unsuspecting friends or eat it myself. It seems logical to me that this is what you should do. If your pots allow it, I would encourage you to do the same.
Many years ago I started a Soup Exchange. It was born out of my over-catering tendencies, an oversupply of plastic containers and a pun. I was thinking what I would call the leader of such a group and, like all the best (and worst) puns it came to me. I would be the Soupofficial. I hold the handle of the Wooden Spoon of Authority. If there are any fizzy soups (ones that have fermented!) I have to dish out the feedback!
Soup Exchange meets once a fortnight to... exchange soup. The idea is pretty simple. 1. Make a giant pot of soup, broth, potage, consommé, bisque, whatever... 2. Eat your fill, save a taste for later 3. With the remains, fill up 'regulation' containers (500ml, supposedly leak-proof containers that supply the perfect lunch-sized soup portion) 4. Bring frozen or fresh soup to exchange for others
We meet at a local bakery before work, fill our tummies with sweet and savory bakery treats and then begin the exchange. Towers of soup containers are placed on the table and tales are told of what lies within - Turkish meatball soup, exploding soup, fennel soup, grannies' 'fridge' soup, primordial soup and even soup with a sales pitch (this soup comes with a free chocolate brownie).
We then start the swap, taking turns to choose and be chosen. It is a bit like a Kris Kringle with everyone taking the same amount of soup they brought but all new delicious varieties. They go into the fridge or freezer at work for lunches or dinners. They are all delicious and much appreciated.
I know this is not the best of times to talk so sweetly of soup with winter nearly over and all. We do span the season and am thinking of what will be in the containers in summer - sauces, pies, paw-paw salad, stuff from the garden with delicious dressings.
Every soup exchange day I feel revived. I start my day grinning from ear to ear with shared laughter, tales, "self-containered" treats and compliments liberally ladled out.
I love it, but as you may have guessed, Soup Exchange is not really about the soup. It is about everything else that it takes to get up early on a cold winter's morning to share stuff and stories with folk of similar laughing stock.
Soupofficially Yours,
Lish Fejer User