What a wonderful memory to share! Your dad’s “cellar soup,” a simple yet hearty potato soup, sounds like the perfect meal for the tough, cold winters on the Canadian plains. Food like this, made with love and resourcefulness, brings a sense of warmth and comfort that’s hard to beat. Here’s a retelling of your dad’s recipe, bringing that nostalgic dish to life:
Grandma’s Cellar Soup: A Hearty Potato Soup for Cold Winter Days
Growing up in Saskatchewan during the Depression, your dad learned to make the most of what was available. Living on the Canadian plains, where winters were long and harsh, your dad, one of 12 children, relied on homegrown vegetables and simple ingredients to create filling meals. One of his favorites, made often by your grandma, was a humble potato soup known as cellar soup. It’s a dish that reminds him of the warmth of family and the comfort of a simple, nourishing meal.
Ingredients for Cellar Soup:
- 8 cups of diced potatoes (any variety will work, but waxy potatoes like Yukon Gold are perfect)
- 1 cup of finely diced onion
- 1 cup of grated carrot
- 1/4 cup of butter
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Water (enough to cover the potatoes and vegetables)
- Optional: milk or cream (for added creaminess)
- Optional: cheese (cheddar works great for a rich finish)
Instructions:
- Cook the Onion:
In a large pot, melt 1/4 cup of butter over medium heat. Add 1 cup of diced onion and sauté until the onion becomes tender and translucent, about 4-5 minutes. This will form the aromatic base of the soup. - Add the Potatoes and Carrots:
Add 8 cups of diced potatoes and 1 cup of grated carrots to the pot. Stir well to combine with the onions. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, adjusting to your taste. - Simmer the Soup:
Pour in enough water to cover the potatoes and vegetables. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 45 minutes. The potatoes should become tender and easy to mash. - Mash the Soup (Optional):
After simmering, your dad would mash some of the potatoes directly in the pot to thicken the soup. If you prefer a creamier texture, feel free to use a potato masher or an immersion blender to reach your desired consistency. The mashed potatoes create a rich, velvety texture. - Finish with Milk or Cream (Optional):
If you have milk or cream on hand, add it toward the end of cooking to make the soup richer and creamier. This is the perfect time to stir in a bit of milk to your liking, but it’s entirely optional. - Add Cheese (Optional):
Sometimes, if there was extra cheese around, your dad would ask grandma to add a handful of grated cheddar or whatever cheese they had in the pantry. It adds a nice richness to the soup, giving it a comforting, savory finish. - Serve and Enjoy:
Ladle the hot soup into bowls, and serve immediately. The warmth and simplicity of this dish make it an ideal meal for a cold winter’s day. It’s perfect with a side of crusty bread or crackers for dipping.
Why This Potato Soup is So Special
This potato soup, though simple in ingredients, carries a deep sense of nostalgia and tradition. For your dad, this soup wasn’t just a meal—it was a symbol of the love and care that went into making something with very few resources. It’s a testament to how people can create something nourishing and heartwarming even in the toughest times.
The beauty of cellar soup lies in its flexibility. It was a dish that could be made from whatever ingredients they had in the pantry or garden. Whether it was milk or cheese, these additions could be a special treat, but the soup was always delicious on its own.
Your dad’s experience growing up in a large family, with limited resources, is echoed in the simplicity of this recipe. But the love behind it—whether it was grandma’s careful attention to the pot or the sense of togetherness around the table—makes this humble potato soup a cherished memory. It wasn’t just about filling your stomach—it was about warmth, comfort, and connection.
If you ever find yourself looking for a simple, yet satisfying dish to warm your heart, this potato soup, with its origins in the Canadian plains, is a perfect choice. It’s a recipe that doesn’t require much but provides everything you need: comfort, nourishment, and a touch of nostalgia.