I bet your tummy is growling just by reading about it here on our website! You can also turn almost any vegetable or meat into soup – leaving your options open and the variety endless.
We decided to tell you a bit more about soup and what you will need to have a successful soup-dinner this winter!
About soup
According to Wikipedia.org soup is a food that is made by combining ingredients such as meat and vegetables with stock, juice, water or another liquid. Hot soups are additionally characterized by boiling solid ingredients in liquids in a pot until the flavor is extracted, forming a broth. Soup is often very nutritious. Traditionally, soups are classified into two main groups: clear soups and thick soups. The established French classifications of clear soups are bouillon and consommé. Thick soups are classified depending upon the type of thickening agent used: purées are vegetable soups thickened with starch; bisques are made from puréed shellfish or vegetables thickened with cream; cream soups may be thickened with béchamel sauce; and veloutés are thickened with eggs, butter and cream. Other ingredients commonly used to thicken soups and broths include rice, flour and grains. Soups are similar to stews, and in some cases there may not be a clear distinction between the two. Generally though, soups have more liquid than stews.
Different types of soup
Canned soup
This type of soup is usually pre-made / pre-cooked and preserved to be enjoyed at your convenience. It usually only needs to be heated and then it is ready to be enjoyed. These soups are available in various flavours such as Chicken-noodle, Hearty beef and vegetable etc. They are also available in low fat and fat free variants.
What is available?
- Heinz canned soups are delicious and very nutritious – it comes in round about 20 different flavours. Heinz Soup for One is the ideal meal for people on the go. Simply empty the tin, heat and enjoy! NB: You now also get Heinz microwave soup, neatly packed in a plastic container.
- Woolworths canned soups are available in various flavours and a delicious treat on a cold winter’s day.
Soup-in-a-bag
Woolworths produces freshly made soup-in-a-bag that literally takes 5 minutes to heat up and enjoy. These soups are thick, creamy, fresh, chunky and delicious and taste similar to the wholesome soup that your mother used to cook for hours. These soups are available in various flavours like Butternut, Green Pea and Smoked Ham, Greek Tomato, Meatball & Orzo Pasta Soup and lots more. There are also different sizes of soup to suit individual or family needs.
Instant soup / Cup-a-Soup
This type of soup is very popular and has been around for a long time. It can be enjoyed anywhere, as long as you have a kettle and a cup and is ideal to take to the office as a mid-morning snack.
What’s available?
- Royco has a delicious range of Cup-a-Soup with flavours ranging from Chicken Noodle to Creamy Mushroom and Thick Vegetable soup.
- Royco also has a delicious range called Quick Snack which is an interesting combination of noodles, vegetables and soupy goodness – an ideal snack for people on the run.
- Knorr also has a delicious range of Cup-a-Soup available and now has brand new packaging (almost like a mini sugar container that you get at restaurants) that will fit comfortably on your handbag.
The Real Deal
Although instant soups are convenient and easy to make, nothing beats fresh, homemade soup, which has been cooked all day long to ensure that the flavour and the ingredients were combined perfectly. Try this recipe if you have time:
Grandmother’s mince and vegetable soup
Ingredients:
- 500g lean mince
- 1 onion
- Spice for Mince
- 1 carrot, peeled and grated
- 1 potato, peeled and grated
- ½ cup rice
- 1 cup spaghetti
- 1 Royco Packet Soup – Beef and vegetable
- Salt and pepper to taste
Method:
- Brown the mince in a large pot, together with the onion and Spice for Mince.
- Add the carrot and potato and mix thoroughly.
- Add the soup powder (with the amount of boiling water as shown on the packet) and spice to taste.
- Boil the mixture together until the vegetables start softening.
- Add the rice and spaghetti and a little bit of water (if necessary).
- Simmer the mixture for an hour or two until the rice, pasta and vegetables are soft and soupy.
Serve with fresh bread rolls.
Soup accessories / appliances
Things you will need to make the perfect bowl of soup.
Pressure cooker
Pressure cookers are generally made from aluminum or stainless steel. A gasket or sealing ring forms a gas-tight seal which does not allow air or steam to escape between the pot and the lid; normally, the only way the steam can escape is through a regulator on the lid when the pressure has built up.
Advantages:
- Foods are cooked much faster by pressure cooking than by other methods and with much less water, so dishes can be ready sooner.
- Less energy is required than when boiling, steaming or oven cooking. Since less water is necessary, the foods come to cooking temperature faster.
- With pressure cooking, heat is very evenly, deeply, and quickly distributed.
What’s available?
AEG-Electrolux EPC6000 electric pressure cooker
The energy saving electric pressure cooker is safe, easy to use and cooks up to 70% faster than standard cooking methods. The Pressure Cooker offers several convenience features, including an easy-to-read digital timer that ensures accuracy. The convenient push button controls that allow home chefs to choose from a variety of cooking options and programmed settings, such as: Low & High Pressure, Browning, Simmer, Sauté and automatic Keep Warm.
Tedelex 4 litre aluminium pressure cooker
- Economical, nutritious and healthy cooking - High quality aluminium ensures rapid, even heat distribution .
- Easy to open lid with auto lock mechanism - Complies to international safety standards - 3 safety features spring safety valve, pressure indicator weight, disk safety valve
Kitchen grater
To ensure that your vegetables are well grated and cook easily, you will need a high quality grater to make this task easier.
What’s available?
Microplane Box Grater from Yuppie Chef
The Microplane® Better Box Grater includes a protective slider attachment that protects fingers and ensures added control. Use the fine blade side for Citrus Zest, Hard Cheese, Nuts, Ginger and Garlic. Use the extra coarse side for grating of cheddar & other soft cheeses and vegetables.
Verimark Twista Chop ’n Go
Twista Chop ’n Go is ideal for vegetables, fruit, chocolate, cheese, herbs, nuts and more! It’s quick and easy to use and perfect for that fresh snack on the go!
Advantages:
- Stainless steel blade rotates with every push.
- Easy to clean - opens up completely.
- Soft comfort plunger and side handles.
- FREE power grater with two interchangeable blades.
Peeler
Make peeling vegetables quick and easy with a good quality peeler that will not brake or take you ages to use.
What’s available?
Shogun Power Peeler from Verimark. Shogun Power Peeler is no ordinary peeler, it’s also a food decorator and garnishing tool.
Advantages:
- Unique double blade design - super sharp & serrated - now peel twice as fast!
- Made from the finest surgical steel.
- Two specialised cutting rings on either side - use as a decorating tool.
Soup bowl
Compliment the perfect soup with the perfect soup bowl.
What’s available?
- Classic white Porcelain Soup Bowl from Woolworths.
- Black Glazed Soup Bowl from Mr. Price Home.
- New York soup / cereal bowl for @home
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