The basic ingredients
For a basic soup that serves around 4 people, you'll need the following ingredients:
2 tablespoons of butter or oil
Every soup begins with a small amount of butter or oil to sauté your vegetables and aromatics. Choose between butter and olive oil, depending on your preference. Oil goes well in a fresh, lighter soup, while butter is perfect if you want your soup to be a little creamier. But honestly? It usually doesn't matter that much, so just choose whatever you have in your cupboard ;).
Aromatics
A bland soup won't make anyone happy. That's why you should always add aromatics. An onion and two cloves of garlic will go a long way. Do you have a carrot or some celery lying around? They’re perfect to toss in too.
500-750 grams of vegetables
Now the real fun begins. Choose vegetables that you like or whatever you have left in the fridge: everything works! You can also combine them: broccoli and zucchini, for example, are delicious together in a fresh soup, while the combination of carrots and bell peppers is very warm and wintery.
1000 ml stock
Next, choose 1000 ml of stock to suit your taste: vegetable, beef, or chicken stock. If you're unsure or if you're making a vegetarian soup, choose vegetable stock. Usually, two bouillon cubes dissolved in a litre of boiling water will do the trick, but check the packaging to be sure! Tip: If you're using vegetables with a high water content, such as tomatoes, add a bit less stock so your soup doesn’t end up too thin. You can always add more later if needed.
Herbs and spices
To give your soup that extra kick, throw in some herbs and spices. You can keep it simple with just salt and pepper, or go all out with everything you have in your spice cabinet. Basil and oregano, for example, are delicious in soups with tomato and zucchini, while parsley and thyme go well with a creamy soup. Want a little more spice? Chilli powder is what you need.
Optional: a dash of cream
Going for a creamy soup? Then make sure you have some cooking cream, whipping cream, or crème fraîche on hand.
Optional: toppings
Want to make your soup Instagram-worthy or just extra tasty? Then finish it off with your favourite toppings. Consider, for example:
- Spring onion
- Roasted pumpkin seeds
- Vermicelli
- A swirl of cream
- Grated cheese or feta
- Fresh herbs
- Cracked black pepper
- Fried bacon
The basic recipe
Once you've chosen your ingredients, your soup will be ready in no time:
- Chop the onion, the garlic and any other aromatics.
- Heat the oil or butter in a soup pot and fry your aromatics for about 2 minutes, until the onion turns translucent.
- Chop your vegetables, add them to the pan, and fry for 2-3 minutes.
- Add the stock and bring to a boil.
- Let the soup cook for about 20 minutes, until the vegetables are nice and soft.
- Season the soup with herbs and spices. Tasting is essential here ;).
- Puree the soup with a hand blender or standard blender for a nice, smooth soup. Do you find your soup a little too thick? Just add some extra stock!
- Stir a dash of cream into the soup.
- Serve with your toppings.
From starter to main
Want to make your soup a little more filling so you can serve it as a main course? Combine your soup with a tasty salad or a sandwich. It doesn't have to be complicated: a simple salad or a focaccia that you can pop in the oven will do the trick. Homemade croutons are also a winner. To make them, just cut stale bread into cubes, mix them with a bit of olive oil and herbs, and bake them in the oven at 180°C for 10-15 minutes. You can find the whole recipe here!
Another good one: roasted chickpeas! Mix 265 grams of drained chickpeas (tinned) with a tablespoon of olive oil, some salt and pepper, and a teaspoon of paprika powder. Then bake them in the oven at 200°C for 20-25 minutes until they are nice and crispy.
Recipes
Have you mastered the basics? Time to switch things up! Soup offers endless possibilities. Try one of these recipes, for example:
Storing leftovers
If you have any soup left over, let it cool completely first. You can then store your homemade soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for two days or in the freezer for up to three months. Perfect if you don't feel like cooking after a busy day of studying!
Bon appétit!
