January is National Sunday Supper Month

January can be such a long month.  The Holiday season has ended, and January can be a hard month for so many.  Spending time together once a week is a great way to break up the long, cold weeks, especially if you live in the colder climates and sharing Sunday Supper together is to be celebrated this month!

Maybe having a group at your home at the end of the Holidays is a bit overwhelming for you but there are many ways to schedule a family meal together that doesn’t put the pressure on just one person.  Order out, have a potluck or have each family group sign up to bring the meal and rotate.  It doesn’t have to be about the meal – it’s more about togetherness.

Soups are a hit.  Warm or colder climates, soups have a way of connecting family so here is a simple idea to bring a nice hearty meal to your table. You can make this soup the night before, and you can simply re-heat.  Somehow soup always tastes better the next day.

Tomato Soup with Parmesan and Croutons

• 2 onions, chopped
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• kosher salt
• 1 28-ounce can whole peeled tomatoes, with juices
• 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 cup croutons
• 2 ounces Parmesan, shaved 

Directions

Cook the onions in the oil with ½ teaspoon salt in a large pot over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, 4 to 6 minutes. Add the tomatoes, chicken broth, and oregano. Simmer until beginning to thicken, 10 to 15 minutes.

Transfer to a blender and puree until smooth. Top with the croutons and Parmesan before serving.

Add a crunchy loaf of bread and a salad, and you have a wonderful meal fit for your family.

While January is National Sunday Supper Month, it doesn’t need to end there. Why not make it a monthly event?  Even if that means you need to take the meal to their place of residence, interacting with you helps their overall health, as it gives them something to look forward to, which helps to lighten any depression being alone might bring.

Enjoy Sunday Suppers with your family!