When it comes to healthy eating, pro chefs don’t usually shy away from big flavors, but they don’t always cut back on flavor either. Take zippy soup for example. Its zippy flavors are full of flavor without being overpowering. It’s also an excellent way to serve up a bowl of soup as a main course. Here are some tips from pro chefs for making healthy soups:
Cream of mushroom soup
If you’re looking for a delicious weeknight dinner that takes just a few ingredients, try a delicious creamy mushroom soup. It’s quick to make and can satisfy your family’s mushroom cravings. You can prepare this recipe with homemade or store-bought chicken broth. You can also use onion powder, which dissolves in the soup without leaving any unpleasant taste. Alternatively, you can add sauteed onions to the soup at the start. You can also use half-and-half instead of milk, if you prefer.
To prepare this creamy soup, you can use any type of stock. Vegetable and chicken stock both taste great in mushroom soups. Thyme is optional, but it does give it a pleasant dry scent and a minty taste. Cream should not be added until the soup is hot, so make sure to stir it frequently to avoid sticking. If you are planning to freeze the soup, you can add a teaspoon of thyme at the end.
Creamy wild rice soup
If you’re a Minnesotan, you know the comfort food that’s synonymous with the state – creamy wild rice soup. This hearty soup is both soothing and warming, and its flavor is infused with a variety of vegetables. In modern versions, the soup isn’t thickened with flour, and the ham isn’t as prevalent. However, this doesn’t mean that you can’t add meat to your soup if you’d like.
The soup starts with vegetables sauteed in butter and olive oil. Next, add the chicken and cook. Once the chicken is cooked, add the half-and-half mixture and stir throughout the soup. You’ll see a thickened soup within 25 minutes. Once the soup has reached the desired consistency, add the wild rice and stir well. Add milk or half-and-half if you’d like to serve it with more cream.
Tortellini and vegetable soup
If you’re vegan, this tortellini and vegetable soup is perfect for you! Simply replace the traditional tortellini with vegan versions or use a plant-based cream alternative such as Elmlea. This soup tastes great with crusty bread and is easily refrigerated. Serve it with a side salad or sandwich. If you’re a vegetarian, you can also make a vegan version of this soup using tofu instead of tortellini.
Tortellini and vegetable soup can be made vegetarian by omitting the cheese, but make sure to use the right kind of pasta. Fresh or frozen tortellini will work well. You can also use dried tortellini or freeze them before cooking. Just make sure you cook them for the right amount of time. If you’d like to make this soup without tortellini, you can omit them altogether and use vegetable stock. Tortellini will absorb the liquid and make the soup taste mushy.
Italian wedding soup
Whether you are hosting a wedding or have a sick relative in your family, Italian wedding soup is a great choice for the occasion. The soup is very simple to prepare, and everyone will gobble it up. The meatballs are easy to make – ask your family members for help if you have any! You can also use leftovers to make the soup even more delicious. It’s a great recipe to serve anytime of the year, and will be the hit of the dinner table.
One of the best things about Italian wedding soup is that it freezes well. You can make a big pot of it and store it in the fridge for several days. Once it is cool, transfer it to airtight containers. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to four days. To freeze it, thin the soup and place it in individual quart containers. Then you can serve it anytime you’d like. The leftovers will be more flavorful the next day!
French onion soup
French onion soup is a classic dish served with a side of bread. You can prepare individual servings of this hearty soup and freeze them for later use. The soup can be served hot, or you can serve it in individual plastic cups. This recipe is excellent for entertaining because it is filling and can be served to guests in a variety of ways. You can serve it with toast and cheese for a quick lunch. You can even use it as an appetizer before dinner.
Adding a bit of Worcestershire sauce to this soup is a nice touch as well. Many people make a traditional French onion soup without adding any alcohol, but if you are concerned about your diet, you should omit the alcohol and use a half cup of beef broth to deglaze the pan before adding the rest of the stock. Add the cheese, typically Gruyere or Parmesan, or omit it all together. This soup can be refrigerated for three to four days, but you should make croutons fresh before serving.
