Eating soup increases your food dollars and is healthy to begin with. Mixing the ingredients you have on hand in a pot with water is cheap and abundant. Soup may have been around since the first pots were placed on the fire. The word “soup” probably derived from the bread it was poured on called “sop” or “sup”. Before that, soup was variously known as broth or stew or even gruel (although now we think of gruel as a shredded cereal grain boiled in water).
Cultures devised different approaches to soup depending on what was available locally. Borscht made from beets is from Russia. Bouillabaisse is a fish soup, from the port city of Marseille, France. Minestrone, made from fresh vegetables and beans, is from Italy. Scottish broth, made from mutton or mutton, tubers, and barley, is from Scotland. You will find that there are specific soups for most places.
There are two main classifications of soup: clear soups and thick soups. French classifications of clear soups include broth and consommé. Thick soups are classified by their thickening agents. Purees are starchy thickened vegetable soups. Bisques are made with seafood puree or thick vegetables with cream. Cream soups use a bechamel sauce to thicken. The veloutés are thickened with butter, cream and eggs. Soups can also be thickened with rice, flour, cereals, lentils, mashed potatoes, or mashed carrots.
In addition to being delicious, soups are also generally quite healthy. You need to be careful about the sodium level in processed soups. Many manufacturers now offer lower salt level options. Salt caution aside, soups offer a hearty meal often high in veggies (which increases fiber intake) and a high level of fluid (perfect for staying hydrated).
Increase canned or ready-to-eat soups by adding additional vegetables. Add a fried egg, thin slices of cold cuts, a sprinkle of green beans, and green onions to ramen to increase its nutritional value.
Often the cheapest option is to make your own soup. Soups are easy to make and are a great way to use up bits left over from other foods. Freeze leftovers in freezer bags or containers marked with the date and contents. When you’re ready to make the soup, scoop out these valuable leftovers to add to your soup.
To make a pot of soup, take out an 8-quart pot. Brown the raw meat and onions to be used. Then add the leftovers, up to 4 cups of veggies in any combination, a handful of noodles of any kind, pour in up to 16 ounces of tomato in whatever shape you have (puree, sauce, soup, diced, fresh), and add enough water to Bring the mixture to an inch from the edge of the pot. Sprinkle with spices. Try a tablespoon of an Italian blend, or a teaspoon of basil and oregano, and a quarter teaspoon of pepper (red or black, whichever you prefer). Add a teaspoon of “Kitchen Bouquet” for extra flavor and intense color. Add a teaspoon of “Better Than Bouillon” or salt. Bring to a boil, lower the heat and simmer for 30 minutes. Stir occasionally to make sure the noodles don’t stick to the bottom. The flavors will blend wonderfully.
Serve soup with carbohydrates. I like to switch between cornbread, fresh bread, toast, and cookies. Add a serving of cheese, peanut butter, or tuna. Finish your meal with a piece of fresh fruit or a serving of canned fruit.
Have a soup every day. You will find that your money on food goes above and beyond, and you will also notice improvements in your overall health. “Like what?” you ask. Hydration. Hydration levels improve due to the large amount of water in the soup. Hydration affects how your body works. Digestion works more smoothly, bowel movements become regular and easy. Adequate hydration is also important for brain function. Dehydration can lead to confusion, poor mental processing, forgetfulness, and other dementia-like symptoms. Generally, the lower calorie level of the soup helps maintain ideal weight (cream-based soups should make up only a small part of your soup regimen). The soup also retains the vitamins and minerals that leach out during cooking, because the liquid in which vegetables and meats are cooked is eaten instead of being flushed down the drain.
So, eat your healthy soup and be happy!
