This is what I had for lunch today.

Yep, it's soup. Just soup. Leftover soup, at that.

But have you ever really thought about soup? Just for a minute?

Soup is one of the most satisfying and rewarding dishes someone can make. Let's review.

Soup is inexpensive to make. You can make soup from anything. Soup consumes the leftovers and reduces kitchen waste—the last wilted stalk of celery, a handful of greens, last night's salsa. By reducing the amount of stuff that rots in your refrigerator, soup can save you bunches of money. You may remember something like this from childhood. In my house, it was "must-go soup." Maybe in yours it was called "refrigerator soup" or even "garbage soup." Whatever the name, generations before us have realized the budget-bolstering power of homemade soup.

Soup is easy to make. Anyone can make soup. With a simple recipe or just general guidelines, the process of making almost any soup can be successfully tackled by anyone, regardless of kitchen prowess. The ease at which a pot of soup comes together makes it a great beginner dish for those who wish to cook, but are afraid of failure. You can't fail at soup.

Soup is comforting. On a chilly day, a bowl or mug of warm soup will work from the inside out to make you feel like everything is suddenly right with the world—for a few minutes, at least. When the temperatures rise, chilled soups can do the same thing. Soup helps maintain balance, and who among us doesn't need a little help with that?

Soup is universal. Every food culture and ethnic cuisine makes soup, and the varieties are as boundless as your imagination. Once you start making soup at home on a regular basis, you'll definitely identify a few favorite recipes or flavor combinations that you return to again and again. However, you'll always have the comfort in knowing that exotic and exciting soup recipes await you, should you ever have reason to Google them.

Think about soup for a while. Think about your favorite soups, and the ones you've heard of but never dared to try. Think about making soup in your home soon. Think about all the wonderful things that soup can do for you.

And come back tomorrow for my Black Bean Soup recipe.