Creamy vegetable soup with chicken

Delicious Leftover Cream Soup Recipe: A Sustainable and Tasty Dish

Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 1 hour
Total time: 1 hour and 15 minutes
Number of servings: 4-6

Who hasn’t had vegetable scraps or chicken bones in the fridge? Instead of throwing them away, why not turn them into a delicious, healthy, and flavorful cream soup? This leftover cream soup recipe is not only a smart solution to avoid food waste but also a great way to enjoy a comforting meal.

A Story of Leftover Soup

Cooking with leftovers is not just a sustainable practice, but also an art that combines creativity with culinary tradition. Over time, home cooks around the world have learned to transform what they have on hand into delicious dishes. This cream soup is a perfect example of how simple ingredients can be turned into something truly special.

Ingredients

- 4-5 bones and skin from deboned chicken breasts
- 2 medium onions
- 1 carrot
- 1 small celery
- 3 garlic cloves
- 2 cm ginger root
- 1 potato
- 1 can of coconut milk (or 200 ml liquid cream)
- Salt, to taste
- Peppercorns, to taste
- Optional: fresh parsley for garnish or croutons for serving

The Perfect Cooking Technique

1. Preparing the Ingredients: Start by cleaning and washing the vegetables thoroughly. Cut the onions in half, the carrot and celery into cubes, and the potato into slices. The garlic can be crushed or left whole, while the ginger is peeled and sliced thinly.

2. Boiling the Bones: In a large pot, add the bones and chicken skin, along with the chopped vegetables. Fill the pot with water until about 2-3 cm above the ingredients. Add a tablespoon of salt and a few peppercorns. Place the pot over medium heat and wait for it to reach a boiling point.

3. Removing the Foam: As the soup starts to boil, you will notice foam forming on the surface. Use a skimmer to remove this foam, which will help you achieve a clearer and more appetizing soup.

4. Cooking the Soup: Reduce the heat and let the soup simmer for about 45-60 minutes. Check periodically and add water if necessary. Once the bones and vegetables are well cooked, remove the bones and leave the vegetables in the pot.

5. Turning it into Cream: Use an immersion blender to puree the cooked vegetables along with the meat left on the bones until you get a smooth paste. If you don’t have an immersion blender, you can transfer the mixture to a regular blender, being careful not to burn yourself.

6. Adding Coconut Milk or Cream: After you have obtained the paste, add the coconut milk or liquid cream. Mix well, then thin the soup with a little of the cooking liquid until you reach the desired consistency. Put the soup back on the heat to bring it to a boil.

7. Seasoning: Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning to your liking. You can add more salt or pepper, and for an extra flavor boost, a splash of lemon juice can be an inspired choice.

8. Serving: Serve the cream soup hot, garnished with finely chopped fresh parsley or crunchy croutons for a textural contrast.

Practical Tips

- Using Leftovers: Never throw away chicken bones! You can freeze them until you decide to make this soup. This way, you will always have the perfect base for a delicious dish.
- Ingredient Variations: You can replace the vegetables based on what you have in the fridge. For example, pumpkin or spinach can add an interesting note to your soup.
- Adding Spices: If you want to explore new flavors, you can add spices like curry or turmeric to turn the soup into an exotic version.

Nutritional Benefits

This cream soup is not only tasty but also healthy. Chicken bones contain collagen, which is beneficial for skin and joints. The vegetables provide essential vitamins, while the coconut milk or cream adds creaminess and a rich flavor. Each serving of soup contains approximately 200-300 calories, depending on the ingredients used.

Frequently Asked Questions

- Can I use other types of meat? Yes, you can use beef or pork bones, but the cooking time will be longer.
- How can I store the soup? The soup can be kept in the fridge for 3-4 days or can be frozen for later use.
- What drinks pair well with this soup? A dry white wine or herbal tea are excellent choices to accompany this comforting soup.

It only takes a few simple ingredients and a little effort to prepare a leftover cream soup that will impress family and friends. So, next time you have leftovers in the fridge, remember that you can turn every ingredient into an unforgettable meal! Bon appétit!