Is my husband right to be embarrassed when I serve soup for lunch to guests

Even a hearty soup is strange to serve as the main course at dinner. There’s a reason that soups are rarely a main option at restaurants. You’re unlike to feel satisfied.

I’d probably not mind it for lunch though with nice bread.

Elle2018
Of course, you are welcome to my recipe...only it's a very ad hoc one, owing to the quantity I'm making, and guests' aversion to coriander. So basically it goes like this:
Fry together, in a couple of tablespoons of butter : one medium onion and 2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped, a heaped teaspoon of finely grated ginger, curry powder to taste-a couple of teaspoons or so, fresh coriander to taste. Fry until soft, add about a litre of chicken/vege stock, add 3-4 (about 750gm) kumara (sweet potatoes), though I have plenty in my garden so tend to use more, as they improve both flavour and texture. They should be in smallish cubes. Simmer until soft, cool, then add one can coconut cream. Whizz in food processor till creamy. Check for seasoning - despite the stock, it tends to need salt. Serve with chopped flat-leaf parsley and/or coriander on top, with a dob of sour cream and toasted sunflower seeds if you want to be truly decadent.
I make a big quantity at a time and freeze 3-4 containers for the winter. Nothing better by the fire!

Your soup with bread and butter does sound lovely. Perfect for lunch but I wouldn't serve that for dinner (it's enough for me but I know for most it isn't) therefore the soup wld need to be a starter if part of evening meal.

I think some of you must have Abigail's Party type 'dinner parties' (and 'couples' lunches', whatever they are), with people judging and point-scoring.
I've happily eaten soup for dinner and lunch at friends' houses loads of times. I wouldn't dream of thinking it wasn't enough or wasn't 'conventional' or anything like that.

I agree.
Inspired by this thread I made https://www.sainsburys.co.uk/gol-ui/recipes/tuscan-style-pasta-and-bean-soup for tea. It is very substantial and most definitely not a starter style soup.

I'm staggered at the ignorance of posters who think that soup is only a drink . Some soups are a meal in themselves - see below.

My granny used to make "stewp" as a main course on her wood range, Thick, meaty soup full of vegetables from her own garden, It would simmer for hours, filling the house with the most delectable aromas. Nothing wrong with stewp as a main meal.

This is totally a cultural thing. My husband is also from a Mediterranean country and likewise he would think it odd to invite guests for dinner / lunch and offer them soup - soup is a snack type food in many Mediterranean countries and certainly there I think guests would find it a bit strange to be offered soup as a main meal. Perhaps being 'embarrassed' is going a bit far, and indeed, he could also contribute to the cooking and offer to make or help to make something which he thinks is more appropriate.

For lunch it's fine. I sometimes do it for evening meal if we've had a big lunch. Only in colder weather though. When it's getting warmer I do a lot of meat in the slow cooker. Which we have cold with salad.

Bit harsh you don’t know him?!

I would love home made soup and bread for lunch ♥️ not an evening meal though unless it’s served as a starter.

My friend makes the most amazing soups. It’s always a complete off the cuff whatever’s in the fridge job. But i always look forward to being invited to lunch at hers.

Evening meal, I’d say do it as a starter. But that’s just me, each to their own.

Could I be cheeky and ask you to share the recipe please? That sounds amazing 😍

Yesterday (Monday) I made sweet potato soup (fresh from my garden), with fresh ginger, garlic, coriander and coconut cream. Served with fresh bread rolls and a plate of avocado/tomato/capsicum slices and cheese. My guests raved over it.

Homemade soup with nice bread & maybe cheese too is a very nice lunch.
Wouldn't serve it to guests for dinner though, without a main meal too and prob something for desert, like fresh fruit or ice cream

Fine for a weekday or Saturday lunch, or as a starter for dinner.

I think it's a lovely offering for your guests . Homemade soup and good bread is a healthy nutritious lunch

I love soup, can't make my own anymore. But even when we went to the Chinese buffet I would rather 2 plates of soup over dessert

Soup is my go to when we have guests for lunch. I put a lot of effort in especially in the winter.

Tell him he is a tosser😄

Much as I love soup I am aware many others don't. I would be a bit 😬 if someone just offered me soup and what you said.

I would happily serve soup for lunch that is home made. A main course type of soup with lots of bits in, with a lovely crusty hot loaf, lots of butter is superb. But I would expect a cheese course or pate with biscuits and a pudding. Ive been given soup and bread before for lunch and found it wanting.

I would serve a light soup as a starter for a dinner party, with hot rolls and butter, but never as a main course.

Its funny business, isnt it. I know people who would have soup for lunch if eating by themselves, or at home or when going out for lunch with colleagues. But somehow inviting people to lunch and giving them soup seem different.
(In my home country a soup would be either eaten in the evening on its own or a lunchtime before main meal. )

Starters, old people, those who have just had braces fitted and those with eating disorders …

I absolutely love homemade soup! And homebaked bread would be the ultimate dream combo!

He IBU!

I go to my older neighbour for lunch and she cooks up a storm. It's soup - really rich and prepared with a proper stock from scratch. Beautiful bread and a cheese board and pudding.

She also does a light soup as a first of four course dinner - think watercress, or cucumber, or gazpacho. Followed by a main, then cheese, then a light pudding.

Each to their own.

….apologies of course there are main dish “soups” like ramens etc in Asian cuisines but my understanding is your soups are more like good wholesome minestrones etc - hence I don’t believe they can be anything but starter.

I’ll be honest and say I’d be disappointed if I’m invited for lunch at someone else’s home and find out it is soup! Even with protein and a nice bread on the side it reminds me of hospital food so not very exciting. I’m sorry, OP!