Get Something Wet And Warm Inside You. (Soups)

Member Name: cindy1

Product:	Soups
Date:	09/12/01 (1758 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Tasty, Simple, Quick

Disadvantages: None

Now that winter is here, what could be better than a bowl of tasty soup? The great thing about soup is that it can be prepared quickly, and if you do not want to eat it straight away, you can simply reheat it in the microwave.
If you have read my previous recipes, you will be aware that I like to cook traditional recipes in the microwave. Soup is no exception; soup is very easy and quick to cook using a microwave.

A Few Hints Before Starting.
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Because most stocks require long slow simmering to bring out the flavour, they are best made in the conventional way; this is especially true with the soups requiring beef stock. Having said this, soups that require small amounts of fish, vegetables and chicken stock can be made successfully in the microwave.

When using water use less than usual as there isn't as much evaporation when microwaving. I find that if you leave the stock overnight in the refrigerator it brings out the flavour in your soup.

Another advantage of cooking soup in the microwave is that when you use vegetables most of the Vitamin content will be retained, which is not true with convention cooking methods. So, why not try a healthy way of cooking. I have included two of my favourite soup recipes, which are guaranteed to warm the cockles of your heart.

Celery and Stilton Soup.
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Preparation Time: 10 minutes.
Cooking Time: 16 minutes.
Method: Microwave.
Heat Setting: High.
Serves: Six people.

Ingredients.

25g of margarine.
4 celery sticks, trimmed and finely chopped.
30ml plain flour.
300ml milk.
600ml of chicken stock.
225g of Stilton cheese, crumbled.
Salt and pepper.

Method.

Step 1: Place the margarine in a large serving bowl and microwave on high for 45 seconds or until melted. Stir in the celery, cover, and microwave on high for five minutes or until the ce
lery begins to soften.

Step 2: Stir in the flour and microwave on high for 30 seconds. Gradually stir in the milk and stock. Cover and microwave on high for 8 minutes or until the celery is, tender. Stir occasionally during cooking.

Step 3: Gradually add the Stilton and stir until well blended with the liquid. Season to taste, then add the salt very carefully, you only need a bit, as Stilton is quite salty anyway.

Step 4: Heat through in the microwave on high for 1-2 minutes. Serve immediately.

If it is to your taste serve with slightly warmed crusty rolls.

This is an excellent soup that is extremely tasty; the Stilton gives it a distinctive flavour when coupled with the celery. This soup would also make a great starter.

Lentil and Bacon Soup.
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Preparation Time: 25 minutes.
Cooking Time: 23 minutes.
Method: Microwave.
Heat setting: High.
Serves: 6 people.

Ingredients.

125g of streaky bacon, rinded and chopped.
25g of margarine.
100g of red lentils.
2 leeks, trimmed, washed and finely chopped.
2 carrots, peeled and finely chopped.
1 litre of chicken stock.
30ml of chopped fresh parsley.
Salt and pepper.
Orange shreds to garnish (optional).

Method.

Step 1: Place the bacon and margarine in a large bowl and microwave on high for 2 minutes. Add the lentils and toss to coat them in the fat, then add the leek, carrots and stock.

Step 2: Cover and microwave on high for 18 minutes or until the lentils are cooked. Stir two or three during the cooking time.

Step 3: Cool slightly, then puree the soup in a blender or food processor. Add the parsley, season and microwave on high for 2-3 minutes or until hot. Garnish with orange shreds and serve.

Once again another delicious recipe. This is my personal favourite; this soup has a very distinctive taste that is not dull or boring, as
is the case with many soups. The bacon gives the soup a bit of meatyness, and the lentil, and vegetables give it a tangy flavour. Once again, this would make an excellent starter, because of its full-bodied taste, and the fact that it is not very filling.

As you can see soup is not hard to make in the microwave, you can prepare and cook challenging soup recipes in the microwave that taste just as good as the old fashioned way. Why not try your hand at microwaved soup?

ENJOY!.

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