Soup

What is Soup?

Soup is a liquid dish made from stock, vegetables, and sometimes meat or fish. It is versatile and can be served as a starter or as a filling lunch. Most soups are served hot, but some, like gazpacho (a Spanish soup), are served cold.

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Classification of Soups

1. Thick Soups:

• Puréed: Blended until smooth, e.g., vegetable soup.
• Thickened: Uses starchy ingredients like flour or potatoes for thickness, e.g., mushroom soup.

2. Thin Soups:

• Clear: Made from well-flavoured stock, also called consommé, e.g., chicken consommé.
• Broth: Thin and clear with finely chopped meat and vegetables, e.g., Scotch broth.

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Benefits of Soup in the Diet

• Nourishing: Good source of protein, fibre, vitamins, and minerals.
• Warmth: Perfect for cold days.
• Appetite Stimulating: Makes a good starter.
• Variety: Many types of soup can be made with different ingredients.
• Filling Option: Can be low-calorie and low-cholesterol when made with fresh vegetables and lean meats.
• Cost-Effective: Uses inexpensive vegetables and leftovers.

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Guidelines for Preparing and Cooking Soups

• Use fresh ingredients and quality stock.
• Dice ingredients finely for maximum flavour.
• Sauté ingredients to soften and release flavours.
• Simmer to develop flavour without evaporating too much liquid.
• Blend thickening agents well to avoid lumps.
• Garnishing Tips: Add croutons, a swirl of cream, or fresh herbs for extra flavour and presentation.

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Characteristics of a Good Soup

• Grease-Free: No fat layer on top.
• Colourful: Bright, like red for tomato soup.
• Flavourful: Tastes of the main ingredient.
• Good Consistency: Not too thick or too thin.
• Well-Seasoned: Tasty but not overly salty.
• Temperature: Should be served hot or chilled.

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Advantages and Disadvantages of Convenience Soups

Type	Advantages	Disadvantages
Dried, Packet, Instant	Cheap and convenient	Low nutrition; may be high in salt/sugar
Tinned	Easy to heat up	Can lack flavour; may have high salt/sugar
Fresh (Cartons/Tubs)	High quality and good nutrition	Expensive; can be high in salt