We tend to think of soup as a dish just to serve during colder months. The reality is, whether it’s a cold soup, or hot; soup is a dish that’s great in any season. You can make soups as elaborate or as simple as you like. You can even use soup in your home as a starter before your main course; but why not go ahead and make the soup the star of the show?
Let’s talk about why soup is perfect no matter the season.
Put your leftovers to use
Let’s be honest. You probably save leftovers from meals with the best intentions. But, what likely happens, is those stored leftovers turn in to science experiments sitting in the fridge. Then you toss them out. But, if you have, let’s say, some leftover roasted chicken- you can create a great soup. Get some boxed chicken broth into a pot and bring it to boil. Stir in about a cup of milk and add a tablespoon (or more) of butter and salt/pepper. Then take some store bought canned biscuits, dust them with flour, then start tearing them into small pieces and dropping them into the boiling broth. Once the biscuit pieces are opaque, shred your chicken and add it to the pot. In just a short time you’ve got a beautiful pot of chicken and dumplings.
It couldn’t have been easier. You can do the same with vegetables that are about to outlive their usefulness. Chop those babies up, put them into a pot of chicken broth and stir in some macaroni and whatever protein you have at hand. Tossing in some shredded cheese always makes what’s good, even better. You’ll have a delicious meal in no time.
The variety of soups is endless
You could try a seafood soup from Ask Chef Dennis, for something unexpected. Go international with an enchilada or taco soup. Try a blended soup by taking stewed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, basil, and a bit of cream and blending it all together. Take the mixture and strain it to get out any seeds and you’ve to a beautiful tomato bisque. Add a grilled cheese sandwich and you’ll be transported back to your childhood.
With most soups, serving with a crusty chunk of bread is always a treat. It’s the best way to sop up all the deliciousness of the broth. Oh, and don’t discount cold soups. Serve a cool bowl of chunky or blended gazpacho on a warm summer day for a refreshing meal out on the patio.
Creating soups is easy
Preparing and serving soup is a great way for those who are just learning to cook, to hone your cooking skills. Start with simple ingredients and flavors. Your base will usually be a beef or chicken broth. Start building flavors from there. Maybe start with a potato soup that has only a few ingredients. Creating seafood soups may be something you’ll want to wait a bit to try as seafood is a more delicate protien.
A crockpot is the perfect vehicle for making soup. Toss all of your ingredients into the pot set it on low and go. All day the delicious flavors will be melding together as it cooks. There’s nothing like coming home from a hard day at work and your dinner is already prepared. You’ll also love the one dish clean up. The Internet is filled with amazing crockpot soup recipes that are perfect for the beginning chef.
Don’t discount eating soups for meals even when it’s not cold outside. Soup is great for any season!