Chicken Soup has long been touted for it's therapeutic value. Which brings on an interesting observation we saw the other day:  "If someone makes you soup, it's a sign they care about you."

Soup, by definition, is made to be nourishing, warming, and comforting. A steaming bowl of soup for lunch or dinner can be healthful and delicious. Served with a great sandwich made with well-chosen cold cuts and crusty bread, and it's a satisfying meal to return to again and again.

Here are five of the soups that our readers chose recently as being their favorites. The beautiful thing is that they are all easy to make, whether they are broth or cream soups, the flavors are wonderful as the tastes of the various herbs, spices and other seasonings come through and blend together to make a well-rounded, delicious bowl of goodness.

1. CHICKEN NOODLE

Need a little chicken noodle soup for the soul? Here's a flavorful soup mix that can be made ahead of time and stored in the pantry.

2. NEW ENGLAND CLAM CHOWDER

Homemade New England Clam Chowder is unbelieveably quick and easy to make. Instead of buying it in a can and serving two people, I particularly like making my own with Lousiana Market Chowder soup mix.  All I do is add chopped clams, chopped bacon, and maybe a small can of whole kernel corn (juice and all), and I'm all set. 

3. WHITE BEAN SOUP

Pictured:  Kale and White Bean Soup. Hearty and delicious.

4. MINESTRONE

5. TOMATO SOUP

So what is your favorite soup?  Let us know. We're going to be featuring favorite soups over the next few weeks and we want to hear from you.  Send us your favorite soup recipes for a chance to win a gift pack of great Strawberry Tree Farms gourmet herbs, spices, and seasonings. 

Have we left out your favorite soup in our list?  Let us know what it is.