Cream of Vegetable Soup, also referred to as the Creamy Vegetable Soup, is a thick, dense and rich soup dish made with choice of vegetables as the main ingredients. Mostly, the soup is made by mashing together 3 or more vegetables that complement each other. The dish is quite popular in India and is a common household preparation. The soup owes its creamy texture and base to the use of heavy cream, milk, butter and oil as essential ingredients. These are almost always used in combination with each other, although milk might not be used at times.
An average sized (100g.) serving of the soup typically contains about 390 calories, 35.2 grams of fat and 124 milligrams of cholesterol.
Cream of Vegetable Soup Recipe Overview
Ingredients: Traditionally, the Creamy Vegetable Soup is made with preferred vegetables, broth (chicken or vegetable, preferably homemade), cream, butter, oil, white sauce, milk and a light seasoning of salt and pepper. Ginger, garlic, coriander, thyme, rosemary, etc., are added for aroma and flavor. The choice of vegetables mostly depends on personal preferences. Sometimes, however, certain recipes restrict the vegetables that can be used. Although it is quite rare, meat is also added to the soup, mostly chicken and ham. For a thicker base, some recipes suggest the use of cheese, egg yolk or cornflower.
Preparation Overview: Cream of Vegetable Soup is an easy enough preparation and it takes about 30 minutes to make 3 to 4 average sized servings. To make the soup, the vegetables to be used (and meat, if used) are sautéed for a few minutes in butter or oil and then mashed together. The mashed vegetables are then mixed with the cream, butter and milk, and the entire concoction, along with all the other ingredients, is transferred to a large cooking pot. The pot is placed over direct heat (stove or hot plate) and the soup is cooked till it is thick and creamy.
Popular Cream of Vegetable Soup Recipe Variations
While a Cream of Vegetable Soup is most often prepared by following the typical traditional recipe, there are some variations that call for the use of meats or restrict the vegetables that can be used. The lactose intolerant-friendly version of the soup is made with coconut milk and olive oil. There is absolutely no use of milk or milk products. The vegan variation is made entirely with vegetarian ingredients. The broth is always vegetable broth and there are no traces of meat. Also, dairy products are done away with completely and replaced with coconut milk. For the low-fat, low-calorie variant, light cream, butter and olive oil are used instead of the heavier counterparts. Also, boiled or baked vegetables are used instead of fried ones.
Serving Suggestions
The Creamy Vegetable Soup is often served as an appetizer, but it can also be a wholesome and filling meal in itself or a part of the main course. This entirely depends on the ingredients used and their quantities. Croutons and parsley are popular garnish for the soup and it is often served with toasted French or Italian bread. Egg or Rice Noodles are sometimes added to the soup right before serving to make it more filling.
Creamy Vegetable Soup Trivia
World renowned Indian chef Sanjeev Kapoor has often said that Cream of Vegetable Soup is one of his favorite preparations. He even has a signature recipe for the dish.
