Cold Winter Feast

Cold winter evenings make for hearty appetites. This is a feast for family and friends, and the portions can easily be doubled. It begins with a hot and sour version of a well-known Chinese soup that is sure to warm body and soul. I would follow this with a warming rice dish with crunchy green beans and the substantial Vietnamese-style vegetables. The fried bananas make a tempting finishing touch, one that goes well with a good port.