Here in my part of the world, the sky is pouring, the winds are howling and I'm on pins and needles checking if flood waters are already on the streets. I'm so anxious about being inundated that I don't notice the hours pass as I pace and worry. I'm pining for the rainy days I could just curl up under the covers and read a good book or sleep.

Rainy days also make me hungry very easily but I am too lazy to cook a full meal, hehehe! A time like this calls for warm and soothing soup. I've been dreaming of a few nice bowls I can't decide which one I'll make.

• Tomato and basil soup. I love the goodness of this concoction. Simple at the core, yet it can come off as very complex. Add a dollop of cream just before serving and it becomes sophisticated. It's guaranteed to make the sun shine through the rainclouds. Sigh!


• Hot and sour soup Perfect for rainy days whether one has a cold or not. The spice of the ginger and chilli combines so well with the sourness. I can safely say it's a soothing soup.


• Crab chowder


• Hearty and very warming. I can seldom resist a big bowl of chowder. The combination of crab (or other seafood), corn and milk never fails to make me feel better.


• Squash,garlic and spinach soup.Extremely simple and very quick to cook. This is a least effort soup yet when the flavours meld, it tastes of something from heavy-duty cooking.


• Minestrone.Of course the debate still rages whether it's a chunky soup or a very saucy pasta dish but I categorise minestrone with comforting soups. I like the meaty winter minestrones but I especially love those with just vegetables and a generous sprinkling of cheese. Sublime!

Those are about some of the soups I am thinking about now. Let's see what I can find in the fridge and pantry. Here's wishing we get a respite from the rains so I can go out to the marketplace early tomorrow morning.