A nice bowl of hot soup is so good at the end of a long day. It warms and comforts you, making you feel cared for. Some people are afraid to try making soup at home that does not come in a can, but it is pretty easy once you give it a try. If you use your slow cooker, it is even easier.
Soups for the Slow Cooker
Almost any kind of soup can be made in a slow cooker. Whether you prefer simpler soups like vegetable beef or lentil soup, or if your favorites include fancier soups like vichyssoise or pot-au-feu, your slow cooker will come in handy. You can even create delicate soups such as trout chowder or crab soup in a slow cooker while you attend to other tasks. If you like ethnic soups like Indian Dal or Italian Wedding soup, they also turn out perfectly in a slow cooker.
No matter what your favorite soup is, chances are you can make it in your slow cooker. If you have leftover ham, throw it in with some navy beans for easy bean soup or with split peas to make some delicious pea soup.
Cheddar cheese soup and clam chowder will also work in the slow cooker. That is the best thing about soup recipes in the slow cooker… you can make all the soups you like best. Noodles, rice, dumplings… they all can be made with the slow cooker.
Something New
Maybe you will want to try a soup you have never tasted before. Trying new dishes is fun! Take a chance and try a new slow cooker soup. Have you ever tried a taco soup? What about cheesy meatball soup or deviled chicken soup? Ever tried a garden cabbage soup? There are many different soups out there just waiting to become your new favorite!
With a bit of inspiration, you can create your own new soup recipes. It can be fun to be creative in the kitchen. The slow cooker lets you make mistakes and your soup will still taste great. You can use tough cuts of meat because the long cooking time will tenderize them. Add some herbs and vegetables to add more depth to your soup. If you like creamy soups, add a little milk or cream at the end of cooking. Your imagination can run free!
Traditional soups like chicken and dumplings, beef noodle and potato soup are great, too. For something a little different, mix up the ingredients a bit. Try adding bacon or ham to your potato soup, or put brown rice in your beef soup. Adding a new twist can be a lot of fun.
If you have a lot of leftovers, such as after a major holiday, use the slow cooker to make a nice soothing soup. Add in some leftover turkey or ham to make a great soup. Add rice, noodles, or potatoes if you wish. Do not forget the leftover vegetables like corn, peas, carrots… and do not leave out the gravy. You will have a sumptuous holiday soup that lets you enjoy your meal all over again with very little work. Using slow cookers is a great way to relax.
Soup recipes run the gamut from thick rich chowders to thin, delicate consomms. You can even make cold soups from fruits or vegetables. These are especially delicious on a hot day. Fresh tomato soup made from heirloom tomatoes can’t be beat. Garnish it with a dollop of sour cream or some grated cheese.