Wednesday, November 4, 2009

How To Make Canned Soup Great!

By Ken Kudra

Most of us eat soup from a can from time to time. After all, it is easy to make and relatively cheap, too. The downside is that it can get pretty boring, and for those of us without much time, it may be the only solution. Fortunately, you do not have to be stuck with dull soup. There are some great ways to make your soup better without a lot of work. Here are a few.

All you have to do is know what to add to any can of soup to take it from dull to delicious. Check out your leftovers - do you have any veggies in the fridge? Cut up fresh veggies and microwave or saute them, or toss in cooked veggies. You will be surprised by the difference they can make in a simple can of soup

Frozen veggies can work well, too. Take a commercial can of chowder and add some corn, carrots, peas, or green beans out of the freezer bag, then heat as usual. You will notice a real difference in the taste, and you do not have to put in very much more effort.

For those who would like to make their soups a little meatier, leftovers may be the answer. Save up the extra bits of chicken, beef, pork, or seafood from a previous meal, heat them up in the microwave, and add them right into your canned soup. You can use any kind of meat at all, as long as you use safe handling techniques.

For those who do not usually have much in the way of meaty leftovers, canned meats can come to the rescue. There are great canned chicken, shrimp, crab, and other meat options out there that can really help you add interest to your soups. It is amazing how easy soup recipes can be.

Grains make great soup addition, as well. If you have a half cup of rice, a spoonful of pilaf, or half a serving of pasta left some night, don't throw it out. Instead, put it in a bag in the fridge, and then add it to your next soup meal.

Check out your spices and condiments. Some of them can make a boring soup much more interesting. A sprinkle of garlic salt, basil, oregano, or red pepper could add that flavor you have been looking for. A splash of sherry or wine, or a little bit of an interesting vinegar (balsamic is great) are also excellent options. You can get creative with your options, too. A little bit of soy sauce adds an interesting depth of flavor.

Cheese is great on top of soups, or heated in cream soups and chowders to create something new. Alternatively, try adding a spoonful of sour cream to a canned soup, after you have heated it up. The extra richness could make the meal a lot more appealing.

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