There is something comforting and elemental about a spoon. It’s not as aggressive as a knife and fork. In fact, as infants, we all began eating real meals at the receiving end of a spoon. There’s also a kind of primal comfort in wrapping your hands around a warm bowl; making a meal of a bowl of soup can be deeply satisfying. When you think of foods from around the world, many of the most enjoyable are the bowl and spoon type: Asian dumplings in broth, the bean soups of Italy, Indian dals. Whatever their character, thick or thin, good soups are always pleasing and sustaining.