Cream soups are a comforting and nutritious option for individuals following a liquid diet. This article explores various cream soup recipes suitable for such dietary needs, emphasizing homemade versions that offer a healthier and more flavorful alternative to commercially prepared options.
The Appeal of Homemade Cream Soups
Many commercially available canned cream soups contain high levels of processed ingredients. Making cream soups from scratch allows for better control over the ingredients, ensuring a healthier and more wholesome meal. Homemade soups can be tailored to individual taste preferences and dietary requirements, providing both nourishment and satisfaction.
Homemade Cream of Chicken Soup
A classic choice, homemade cream of chicken soup, offers a flavorful and healthy alternative to canned varieties. It can be used as a soup starter, thinned with broth or stock to be served as a traditional cream of chicken soup, or incorporated into casseroles.
Ingredients and Preparation
To prepare homemade cream of chicken soup, start by creating a base using butter and flour.
- Melt butter in a large saucepan.
- Whisk in flour and cook, stirring until the mixture is bubbly and fragrant.
- Gradually whisk in stock and milk until smooth.
- Add salt, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and black pepper for seasoning.
- Simmer until the soup thickens, stirring occasionally.
- Stir in minced chicken.
For a richer flavor, consider using homemade chicken stock made from a whole chicken carcass. Cooking a whole chicken can be more economical than buying chicken pieces, and the leftover meat can be used in the soup. Turkey can also be substituted for chicken, especially when whole turkeys are on sale.
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Storage and Bulk Preparation
Homemade cream of chicken soup can be made in large batches and stored for future use. To freeze the soup, divide it into 2-cup portions and place them in freezer-safe containers or glass jars. When using glass jars, leave about 1-inch of headspace to allow for expansion during freezing. Cool completely, then freeze until firm, without the lids if using glass jars.
Creamy Vegetable Soup Variations
A decadent creamy bowl of soup doesn't have to call for oceans of cream or mountains of butter. For those seeking vegetarian options, numerous creamy vegetable soups can be prepared using puréed vegetables to achieve a thick and satisfying texture.
Roasted Tomato Soup
Roasting tomatoes before blending concentrates their flavor, resulting in a rich and flavorful soup.
Roasted Cauliflower Soup
Achieve a perfect balance of texture and flavor with roasted cauliflower soup, enhanced with lemon juice for brightness and crushed red pepper for a touch of heat.
Creamy Corn Soup
This soup features the earthiness of hominy and a hint of heat from jalapeños, creating a unique and flavorful combination.
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Creamy White Bean Soup
Richly flavored with beans, vegetables, and Parmesan cheese, this soup offers a light yet satisfying meal.
Potato and Carrot Soup
Carrots and apple lend sweet notes, while potato and half-and-half add a savory counterpoint and a layer of creaminess. The bay leaf gives it a depth of flavor.
Chickpea Soup
Canned chickpeas combined with tahini thicken this simple vegetable soup and give it a creamy consistency. The chickpeas also provide satisfying plant protein and combine with the veggies to add plenty of fiber, vitamins and minerals.
Slow-Cooker Mushroom Soup
This comforting and creamy slow-cooker soup is loaded with earthy, umami flavor from the mushrooms and soy sauce. Puréeing only some of the slow-cooker mushroom soup gives the dish complex texture and eye appeal.
Loaded Baked Potato Soup
This easy slow-cooker potato soup has all the good stuff you love on a potato--including bacon, cheese and scallions. Serve this loaded baked potato soup with a salad for an easy dinner--just 15 minutes of active prep time!--whenever you're in need of some serious comfort food.
Read also: Ultimate Guide: Heavy Cream & Keto
Cream of Mushroom Soup
For a healthier version of traditional cream of mushroom soup, purée half of the soup for a rich, creamy mouthfeel and leave the other half as-is for hits of meaty texture. Don't skip the parsley and tarragon as both add a nice pop of color and their flavors play so well with the mushrooms.
Loaded Cauliflower Soup
A healthy take on a loaded baked potato, this creamy cauliflower soup recipe has all the fixings of a loaded potato (bacon included) but for way fewer calories and carbs. Ready in a quick 20 minutes, this easy soup is great for busy weeknights or can be meal prepped ahead of time to take for lunch or frozen for a ready-made meal down the road.
Sweet Potato and Peanut Soup
This satisfying vegetarian, sweet potato soup is inspired by the flavors of West African peanut soup. We like the added zip of hot green chiles, but they can sometimes be very spicy. It's best to take a small bite first and add them to taste.
Cream of Carrot Soup
This luscious and healthy cream of carrot soup comes together with just 15 minutes of active time, thanks to the Instant Pot (or any other pressure cooker). For an even easier dish, use an immersion blender to puree the soup--you'll only have the Instant Pot insert to clean after cooking.
Asparagus Soup
This lemony asparagus soup is spiced with a touch of curry and gets added richness from "lite" coconut milk and creamy red potatoes.
Butternut Squash Soup
Swap out your basic butternut squash soup for this fragrant version that includes sweet potato and a medley of spices like cinnamon, cumin, coriander and saffron. A drizzle of maple syrup and a few drops of orange water brighten the flavors, while a sprinkle of sumac adds a pop of color and a tangy edge.
Smoked Gouda Broccoli-and-Cheese Soup
Smoked paprika and smoked Gouda give this broccoli-and-cheese soup recipe a double hit of smoky flavor.
Low-Calorie Cream Soup Options
For those mindful of calorie intake, it’s possible to create creamy soups without relying on heavy creams or excessive butter. One innovative method involves using puréed zucchini as a base. Peeled zucchini has a neutral flavor that can be easily disguised with seasonings, and it purees smoothly, creating a creamy texture without the added calories.
Healthy Cream of Chicken Soup (Low Calorie)
This recipe utilizes puréed zucchini to create a low-calorie creamy broth.
Ingredients
- Peeled and boiled zucchini
- Chicken broth or stock
- Small amount of butter or oil
- Garlic, onion, carrot, celery, capsicum/bell peppers, and peas
- Milk
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Place all broth ingredients except milk into a pot, cover with lid and bring to energetic simmer over medium high heat.
- Lower to medium and simmer for 15 minutes until zucchinis is very soft.
- Remove from heat, add milk. Use a handheld blender to blitz until smooth. Add salt to taste.
- Melt butter in a pot or large saucepan over medium heat.
- Add garlic, onion, carrot and celery. Cook for 3 minutes, then add capsicum. Cook for another 2 minutes until onion is translucent and sweet.
- Add Broth, chicken and peas. Bring to gentle simmer for just 2 to 3 minutes or until peas are cooked.
- Taste and adjust salt and pepper.
- Ladle into bowls, sprinkle with a pinch of fresh thyme leaves.
This versatile broth can be used in place of richer creamy white soup broths in various recipes, such as rice casseroles, pasta bakes, and white stews.
Additional Cream Soup Recipes
Here are some additional cream soup recipes worth exploring:
- Cream of chicken soup: A simple soup made with leftover chicken, crusty bread, and parsley.
- Creamy mushroom soup: A rich and creamy soup made with porcini and wild mushrooms, served with croutons and chives.
- Leek & potato soup: A comforting soup made with leeks and potatoes.
- Cheesy cauliflower flask soup: A hearty cauliflower soup with croutons.
- Carrot & parsnip soup: A creamy soup made with parsnip and carrot, served with crusty bread.
- Creamy tomato soup: A low-fat, vegetarian soup made with passata and whole milk.
- Thai-inspired coconut chicken soup: A warming soup made with chicken and mushrooms, or prawns or squash.
- Creamy pumpkin & lentil soup: A soup made with pumpkin or squash flesh and seeds.
- Creamy spinach soup: A flavoursome soup made with spinach.
- Creamy carrot soup: A comforting soup made with carrot, topped with garlicky seeded croutons.
- Creamy chicken & sweetcorn soup: A soup made with a chicken base and sweetcorn.
- Creamy curried chicken & rice soup: A soup made with leftover chicken and rice.
- Soup maker mushroom soup: An easy soup made with chestnut or button mushrooms.
- Creamy cauliflower soup: A soup made with cauliflower stalks and leaves.
- Garam masala prawn & corn soup: A flavourful soup made with garam masala, prawn, new potato and sweetcorn.
Tips for Success
- Stock up on ingredients: Purchase ingredients like whole chickens, chicken broth, butter, and flour when they are on sale.
- Utilize kitchen tools: Having the right kitchen tools, such as plastic cutting boards, a chef’s knife, a mixing bowl, and a wire whisk, can make the cooking process more efficient and enjoyable.
- Share your creations: Share pictures of your homemade cream soups on social media.
- Provide feedback: Leave reviews and ratings on recipes to help others discover your favorite dishes.