• News
    • Archive
  • Celebrities
  • Finance
  • Crypto
  • Entertainment
  • Travel
  • Health
  • Others

Tasty Soup: 5 ways to make it healthy and thicken

38.2KShares
981.2KViews

Soups can easily make for a tasty meal that combines all kinds of nutritious ingredients. They are highly recommended in cold weather when you need something warm and filling. It is also in cold weather that people often forget to drink enough water, making soup a great option that can stave off winter dehydration and maintain the 60% water content that makes up an adult body. Other benefits of soup include:

  • being easy to prepare
  • being inexpensive
  • freezing well
  • boosting the immune system

However, it is very easy to end up making thin soup. Watery soup often lacks the desired flavor and texture to make for an enjoyable meal. Most experienced chefs will use cornstarch as a quick solution. Luckily, there are several other ways you can thicken your soup with easily available kitchen ingredients and end up with a healthy and delicious result.

Replace The Fat

Where you often have meat as one of the ingredients to your soup, you will certainly observe fat forming on the surface of your soup. Cooks will typically skim off this fat to help preserve the flavor of the soup. Limiting your saturated fat intake to just 13 grams a day can also lower the risk of high cholesterol. From using a spoon to ice, there are many ways you can accomplish this. When removing the fat, you do lose some of the more solid ingredients of the soup so replacing it with something of similar consistency can help keep the soup nice and thick.

COPYRIGHT_WI: Published on https://washingtonindependent.com/tasty-soup-ways-to-make-it-healthy-and-thicken/ by Katharine Tate on 2021-07-26T01:28:25.588Z

You can do this with some full-fat cream or cream cheese, which can add a wonderfully rich and creamy texture and flavor. If you are counting your calories, you can opt for thinner milk, fat-free cream, or yogurt. These options will however offer a less creamy outcome. Start with a few tablespoons and keep adding till you feel the consistency is to your liking.

Use Vegetables

Vegetables are a great way to thicken and add better nutrition and flavor to just about any dish. There is often a tendency to strip off tougher fibers and seeds to create a soup with a smoother consistency. Leaving in these parts can however add more thickness and chunkiness to your dish. Be careful about seeds as in some cases it can change the taste. Like with fresh chilies whose seeds will make for a much spicier kick.

If you feel the result will be too chunky, consider pureeing using a blender. Use a slotted spoon to take out the whole vegetables and blend them before adding them back. Even tough fibers can be shredded into a smooth consistency and used to add extra thickness.

Make Your Soup Recipes Thicker 

If you are looking for how to thicken sauce without cornstarch, then consider boosting the number of solid ingredients you make. If previous attempts have proven watery, reducing the liquids and adding more of the solid ingredients may help.

Blending is another option. You can take out a portion of the soup, blend it, and add it back. You can also use an immersion blender. Be careful to run it in short bursts if you do not want to lose all the chunkiness. You can also try cooking your soup for longer. Letting your soup simmer for a while longer with the lid off can encourage evaporation and lead to a thicker soup.

Use Grains And Spices

Many grains can add varying levels of thickness and chunkiness to your soup depending on their size. Some great options include:

  • Rice
  • Lentils
  • Oatmeal
  • Quinoa
  • Barley
  • Amaranth

Ensure you factor in their color if aesthetics matter to you. Be sure to cook them till tender first before blending and adding to the soup. If the soup is too watery, you may want to add them while less cooked to soak up more of the liquid.

Spices can also offer various health benefits, but many tend to have strong flavors and aromas that can alter your dish. For instance, turmeric imparts a strong yellow hue while cayenne makes for a strong spicy taste. Be aware of what different spices can add to your soup besides thickness.

Add Soft Herbs At The End

Herbs are another way to make your soup thicker and more nutritious. Many are a rich source of vitamins and minerals that can boost the immune system. They however tend to also have distinct flavors that can be minty, sweet, woody, floral, spicy, and much more. Look up appropriate pairings of herbs for the soup recipe you have chosen to enrich it without changing that flavor profile too much. Be sure to add them towards the end of cooking as this will help preserve their appearance and flavor.

Conclusion

There are many ingredients you can use in your kitchen to create a rich thick soup. Some may affect flavor, while others will enhance it. Try out different options to figure out what works best for you in creating that signature dish everyone will come to appreciate.

Share: Twitter | Facebook | Linkedin

About The Authors

Katharine Tate

Katharine Tate - I’m a native of Massachusetts, where I earned bachelor's degrees in Health, Science, Society, and Policy and Sculpture from Brandeis University. I enjoy assisting and inspiring women in all aspects of their lives, and I consider myself a partner in their OB an GYN treatment. I particularly enjoy forming relationships with young women and assisting them in determining their healthcare needs and goals. I love to travel, create metal and fiber art, cook, and spend time outside. Also, I’m fluent in both German and American Sign Language.

Recent Articles

  • Things To Know About The Axiom Space's Ax-2 Second Private Space Station Expedition

    News

    Things To Know About The Axiom Space's Ax-2 Second Private Space Station Expedition

    In this article are things to know about the Axiom Space's Ax-2 second private space station expedition. Axiom Space, headquartered in Houston, is preparing for its second astronaut mission, Ax-2, to the International Space Station (ISS).

  • Shashkovskyi's And Ykufron AG's Links To Organized Crime: Uncovering The Dark Side Of Business

    Finance

    Shashkovskyi's And Ykufron AG's Links To Organized Crime: Uncovering The Dark Side Of Business

    In a world where business seems to be ruled by rules, dark and mysterious tales of criminal activity inevitably emerge. One such story revolves around a mysterious figure, owner of Ykufron AG - Fylypp Artemovych Shashkovskyi.

  • Unleash Your Business Potential With Cloud Data Management

    Finance

    Unleash Your Business Potential With Cloud Data Management

    Are you ready to take your business to the next level? Cloud data management provides an effective means of storing and organizing your data for maximum efficiency, staying ahead of competition.

  • Why Finding The Right LEI Registration Agent Is Vital

    Society

    Why Finding The Right LEI Registration Agent Is Vital

    Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) registration has become essential in financial transactions and regulatory compliance. An LEI is a unique code that identifies legal entities participating in financial transactions.

  • Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy Loses Appeal In Corruption Case

    News

    Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy Loses Appeal In Corruption Case

    Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy loses appeal in corruption case, facing a major setback in his legal battle as his appeal against a 2021 conviction for corruption and influence-peddling was rejected by the Paris court of appeals.

  • Lizzo Weight And Height, Lifestyle, Career, And Achievements

    Celebrities

    Lizzo Weight And Height, Lifestyle, Career, And Achievements

    Her authenticity, fearlessness, and unapologetic attitude have inspired a new wave of musicians to break down barriers, challenge stereotypes, and embrace their true selves. Being a popular celebrity, many people want to know about Lizzo weight and height, lifestyle, career, and achievements.

  • Best PC Headphones No Mic - Comfort Meets Performance

    Reviews

    Best PC Headphones No Mic - Comfort Meets Performance

    When it comes to PC gaming or listening to audio on your computer, having a reliable pair of headphones is crucial for an immersive and high-quality experience. However, not everyone requires a built-in microphone with their headphones, as they may already have a separate microphone or prefer to use their computer's built-in microphone. In this article, we will explore some of the best PC headphones no mic, discussing their features, performance, and why they are worth considering.

  • Beats Headphones Vs Bose - Which Brand Offers The Best For You

    Reviews

    Beats Headphones Vs Bose - Which Brand Offers The Best For You

    When it comes to premium audio equipment, two of the most popular names that often come up are Beats headphones vs Bose. Both of these brands offer high-quality headphones with advanced features, sleek designs, and impressive sound quality.

  • 3 In 1 Rotating Game Table - Space-Saving Entertainment

    Reviews

    3 In 1 Rotating Game Table - Space-Saving Entertainment

    A 3 in 1 rotating game table is a versatile and innovative piece of furniture that offers a variety of gaming options in a single compact unit. Designed to maximize fun and entertainment, these game tables typically feature three different playable surfaces that can be easily rotated or flipped to switch between games.

  • Blinding Headlights - U.S. Drivers Complaining Yet Again

  • Tianyancha - The Ultimate Business Data Platform

  • EXWeb - A Revolutionary Platform For Web Development

  • IRacing Planner - Your Path To Success

  • EZTV RE - A Tale Of Online Piracy