Cold-weather dinner

Winter is still a few weeks away but temperatures have finally dipped enough (at least by wimpy California standards) to make me crave a piping hot bowl of hearty soup. And, aside from laboring over a homemade pot, there’s no better one to enjoy than Magpie Cafe’s heirloom bean and vegetable ($9 for a bowl, $6 for a cup). Rich and hearty, this vegan soup is chock-full of toothsome veggies and beans. The bonus here, though, is miso, which gives the broth texture and a deep, delicious umami bite. Paired with Magpie’s simple green salad ($6.50), this soup makes for a lovely and light cold-weather dinner.