Now that all the eating, drinking and partying of the season are behind us, if you are afraid to get on the scale, you are not alone. What’s the answer to post-holiday bloat? For me, it is always a few days of eating soup, particularly vegetable soup. It usually seems to right all my “wrong” choices.

This satisfying, herbaceous zucchini soup is topped with fresh oregano, an essential addition that accentuates the zucchini’s vegetal flavor. Feel free to double this recipe so you will have it at the ready when you get hungry.

This aromatic soup is equally good hot or cold. Served steaming hot with half and half or milk — it is a wonderful opener for roasted vegetables with couscous for a vegetarian menu. You can omit all the dairy, add 1/2 cup more of stock and serve with a dollop of vegan sour cream.