Photo by Alexis Tarrazi
Andre’s Restaurant recently opened a Soup Bar offering a variety of soups. In this photo are from left: Curried Sweet Potato, Celery Knob and Black Truffle, and Onion Broth.
BY ALEXIS TARRAZI – Straus News
Stirring up a hearty bowl of soup takes patience, technique and a good pot says Chef and Owner of Andre’s Restaurant & Wine Boutique in Newton, Andre deWaal — who recently launched a Soup Bar for a casual eat-in or take-out lunch option.
“The spirit of a good soup comes from incorporating things in your kitchen,” says deWaal.
Reaching into his childhood memories, deWaal recalls eating his mother’s homemade soups during the winter when the wood stove was burning to heat the home.
“My mom is a great cook,” says deWaal. “Friday night she would start the soup and it wasn’t the greatest. On Saturday she would continue cooking it and adding to it, basically clean out the fridge. It always started off thin, but over time it became a great meal.”
Photo by Alexis Tarrazi
Andre deWaal pours a glass of wine to go with an assortment of soups offered at his newly opened soup bar in Newton.
Utilizing a similar concept in his restaurant, deWaal will grab available fresh local produce at the market and begin cooking his soup a day before. Throw in leftover bacon grease, the rind from a wedge of Parmesan cheese or any extra vegetables and ingredients.
“This maximizes your leftovers,” says deWaal.
Here is where technique comes into play. Ingredients can’t be tossed into the pot “willy-nilly,” instead deWaal says to taste as you cook.
“It has to do with proper technique,” deWaal says. “Recipes are used for desserts but everything else is by touch, feel or taste… We kind of experiment as we go.”
More than experience, deWaal says patience is key.
“Always cook low and slow,” says deWaal. “Patience is a big thing with any kind of cooking. That’s why chefs make good lovers.”
The last step is having a good pot. The restaurant uses a copper pot, while at home deWaal favors his enameled cast iron.
The Soup Bar is open noon to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. For more information visit AndresRestaurant.com or call 973-300-4192.
Alexis Tarrazi 