We have a new tradition for a soup and salad Christmas Eve Dinner with friends.  The cooking is easy and the cleanup goes quickly.  We were expecting nearly 12 guests.  So I chose to prepare three different types of soup.  Our guests like to sample the various types and lots of fresh bread.  A nice mandrin orange salad and soups on.

Tuscan Tomato Soup:  serves 8
1/4cup olive oil                      1/2stick butter
4 carrots diced                        4 stalks celery diced
3 onions diced                         3 quarts tomatoes chopped with juice
1/2 cup chopped parsley         Fresh basil leaves
Heat the oil and butter , cook the carrots, onions, celery until tender.  Add the tomatoes and continue cooking for 20-30 minutes.  Add the herbs and salt/pepper.
I serve this chunky, but can be pureed.

Italian Wedding Soup: serves 4-8
12 oz. ground lamb                   1 fennel bulb chopped
1 onion, chopped                       2 garlic cloves, minced
4 cups beef broth                       2 cups water
1 tsp. dried oregano                   2 bay leaves
1/2 cup orzo pasta                     4 cups spinach
3 oz Parmigiano-Reggiano cut into wedges
Saute beef, onion, fennel and garlic until beef is browned.  Drain fat.  Add liquids and herbs.  Salt and pepper to taste.  Bring to boil then cover and simmer.  Stir in orzo simmer gently for about 10 minutes.
Remove from heat and add spinach.  Ladle into bowls and top with a chunk of cheese.

Crabmeat and Mushroom Bisque
6 tbls. butter                              4 tbls. chopped onion
1 scallion                                   2 tbls. parsley
1 cup sliced mushrooms            2 tbls. flour
salt, pepper, 1/4 tsp. mace         1 cup half-half
1 1/2 cups cooked crabmeat      3 tbls. dry sherry
Tabasco according to taste        4 tbls. chopped green pepper
Add onion, green pepper, scallion, parsley and mushrooms to melted butter.  Saute until soft.
In another pan, heat remaining 2 tbls. butter.  Stir in flour until blended.  Add cream and stir until thickened.  Add seasonings and add vegetables.  Just before service stir in sherry.

I like several good splashed of Tabasco sauce.