This post was written in collaboration with Jord Wood Watches. All opinions are my own.
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I intended this post to be a cozy Valentine’s Day piece — a simple date night idea centered around a warming soup and the little pleasures of shared meals. But I also want to acknowledge the painful realities many people are facing right now. As a Christian, I feel compelled to speak up against policies and rhetoric that exclude vulnerable people. Matthew 25:35-40 reminds me that caring for those in need is central to our faith.
That said, I want to focus here on something positive: love, connection, and feeding those you care about. Valentine’s Day doesn’t need to be the only day you show love, but it can be a nice reason to slow down and celebrate relationships. For me, one of the most meaningful ways to express love is to cook for someone — to share a meal that nourishes both body and spirit.
This Date Night Soup is exactly that: comforting, quick, and flavorful. It takes about 30 minutes from start to finish and is flexible enough to pair with pasta, rice, or other grains. It’s perfect for a date night at home, a relaxed dinner with a close friend, or a thoughtful meal for a parent. The flavors are brightened with lemon and fresh thyme, and seasoning is important — don’t skip the salt.
You may notice a wooden watch in the photos. Jord Wood Watches kindly sent a dark sandalwood watch that I used for the images, and they hosted an exclusive contest for readers. Entering their giveaway can earn a gift code toward a watch, which was a lovely way to add a bit of beauty and a positive moment to this post.
Enter the contest here!
Date Night Soup | For Valentine’s Day
Ingredients
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil for sauté
- 1 Yellow Onion diced
- 2 Stalks Celery diced
- 3 Cloves Garlic minced
- 2 Sprigs Fresh Thyme just the leaves
- Juice from 1/2 Lemon
- 4 Cups Vegetable Stock
- 2 Cups Water
- Salt to Taste very important!
- 1/2 Tsp Pepper
- 1/4 Tsp Coriander
- 1 Tsp Dried Parsley
- Pinch Cayenne optional
- Cooked Pasta between 2-3 cups, to serve
- Fresh Herbs if you like, to serve
Instructions
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Heat a soup pot over medium and add a glug of olive oil.
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Add diced onion and celery and sauté until the onions are soft, about 5–10 minutes.
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Stir in minced garlic and thyme leaves and cook 1–2 minutes more, until fragrant — don’t let the garlic brown.
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Pour in lemon juice, vegetable stock, water, and add the spices. Season with salt to taste — it’s essential for balance.
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Let the soup simmer for about 15 minutes so the flavors can meld.
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Serve the hot soup over cooked pasta (I used heart-shaped noodles for fun). Use 2–3 cups of cooked pasta, or adjust to your preference. Cooked rice or hearty grains also work well.
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Garnish with fresh herbs like parsley or microgreens if you like.
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Enjoy!
https://wellandfull.com/2017/01/date-night-soup-valentines-day/
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Quotes of the Day:
If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.
– Desmond TutuWhat the world needs now is love, sweet love. It’s the only thing that there’s just too little of.
– Jackie DeShannon