Garlic Bread

• Garlic bread is a classic side accompaniment that pairs well with many types of soups, including cream based, vegetable and meat soups and stews. To make simple garlic bread at home, preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. Split a loaf of bread lengthwise down the center and place it on a baking sheet with the insides facing up. Combine chopped garlic, sea salt or kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, Italian seasoning and extra virgin olive oil or melted butter to taste in a bowl and stir to combine. Brush the mixture over the top of the bread and put it in the oven for 10 to 12 minutes or until slightly crisp and lightly brown on top.

Salad

• Another classic pairing, soup and salad seem like they have been paired served together forever. In general, you should serve a salad that is the same ethnic type as the soup. For example, if you are serving Italian minestrone soup, a basic mixed green salad with olive oil and balsamic vinegar will pair nicely. For Japanese soups like miso soup or soba, pair them with salads such as a cucumber or tofu salad with miso dressing or an Asian style slaw of shredded cabbage, carrots and spring onions with a mirin-based dressing.

Oven Roasted Vegetables

• Oven roasted vegetables can be served alongside hearty soups and stews as a light, yet flavorful accompaniment to an otherwise heavy main course. For simple roasted vegetables, cut carrots, potatoes, onions, broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts and any other vegetables you wish to use to the same size, preheating the oven to 425 degrees F. Place the vegetables in a roasting pan and drizzle them with extra virgin olive oil and sea salt or kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Place them in the oven for 30 minutes before tossing them and roasting them for an additional 30 to 60 minutes, checking them every 15 minutes to see if they are fully cooked.

Rice Dishes

• Rice dishes pair well with many soups, and much like salads, should be paired based on ethnicity and individual flavors. For example, a basic risotto will pair well with an Italian soup; steamed rice with five-spice will pair well with a Chinese soup and flavorful wild rice will complement a simple vegetable soup. Rice dishes are also fairly simple to make in large quantities, which may be necessary if you are serving a large family or group.