Soup Countdown #7: Shameless Grounds Mulligatawny Stew

January is National Soup Month, which makes sense, considering the first month of the year is typically marked with below-freezing temperatures, snow and slush. What's better than a delicious, hot bowl of soup on a chilly day? A delicious, hot bowl of soup that you don't have to make -- that's what. This January Gut Check will revisit some of our favorite hot soups to help guide your belly through this month-long soup celebration.

Mabel Suen

​For those particularly unforgiving windy winter nights, nothing hits the spot quite like a big bowl of hearty, spicy stew. The mulligatawny stew at Shameless Grounds (2650 Sidney Street; 314-773-9900), for instance, provides enough sustenance to subsist as a meal on its own.

Coming from Anglo-Indian origins, mulligatawny translates literally to "pepper water." Tender chunks of brown, braised lamb swim in a curry broth, accompanied by slow-cooked carrots, apples, potatoes and onion. Its warm and welcoming components all add up to create a savory, satisfying smattering of deeply infused Indian flavors.

This soup is best enjoyed with a big spoon, chewed more often than sipped. Its aroma envelops the senses like a big, warm blanket. Get cozy with a cup or bowl of it while it lasts!