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Creamy Vegetable Soup with Homemade Croutons


  • Author: Olivia
  • Total Time: 45mins

Description

This Creamy Vegetable Soup with Homemade Croutons is a comforting, nutritious, and easy-to-make soup that’s packed with the goodness of fresh vegetables. The base is made from a blend of onions, leeks, celery, zucchini, carrots, and frozen Brussels sprouts, all simmered together and flavored with a hint of ginger. A processed cheese slice adds creaminess, making it rich without being too heavy. Topped with crispy, golden-brown homemade croutons seasoned with garlic and red pepper, this soup is a perfect way to enjoy a wholesome and warming meal. It’s ideal for a quick lunch, a light dinner, or an appetizer course.


Ingredients

Units Scale

For the Soup:

  • Onion: 1, chopped
  • Leek: 1, sliced
  • Garlic: 3 cloves, minced
  • Celery: 2 stalks, chopped
  • Carrot: 1, chopped
  • Zucchini: 2, chopped
  • Water: Enough to cover the vegetables
  • Frozen Brussels sprouts: 1 cup
  • Ginger: 1 small piece, grated (about 1 tsp)
  • Processed cheese: 1 slice (about 25g), cut into pieces
  • Salt and black pepper: to taste

For the Homemade Croutons:

  • Bread: 3 slices, cut into cubes
  • Olive oil: 2 tbsp
  • Salt: to taste
  • Red pepper flakes: a pinch
  • Dried garlic powder: to taste

For Garnishing:

  • Fresh dill, chopped

Instructions

1. Prepare the Soup Base:

  1. Sauté the Aromatics:
    In a large pot, add a splash of olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, sliced leek, and minced garlic. Sauté until softened and fragrant, about 5 minutes.
  2. Add Remaining Vegetables:
    Add the chopped celery, carrot, and zucchini to the pot. Stir well to coat the vegetables with oil, allowing them to sauté for another 2-3 minutes.
  3. Add Water and Brussels Sprouts:
    Pour enough water into the pot to cover the vegetables. Add the frozen Brussels sprouts and bring the mixture to a boil.
  4. Simmer:
    Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot with a lid, and simmer for 15 minutes or until all vegetables are tender.

2. Blend and Season the Soup:

  1. Add Ginger and Processed Cheese:
    Add the grated ginger and pieces of processed cheese to the pot. Stir until the cheese melts, adding a creamy texture to the soup.
  2. Season with Salt and Pepper:
    Add salt and black pepper to taste.
  3. Blend the Soup:
    Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth. If you prefer a chunkier texture, blend only half of the soup and leave the rest as is.

3. Make the Croutons:

  1. Season the Bread Cubes:
    In a bowl, combine bread cubes, olive oil, salt, red pepper flakes, and garlic powder. Toss until the bread is well coated with the seasonings.
  2. Toast the Croutons:
    In a skillet over medium heat, toast the bread cubes until golden brown on all sides, stirring occasionally. Alternatively, bake them in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for about 10 minutes, or until crisp and golden.

4. Serve the Soup:

  1. Garnish and Serve:
    Ladle the hot soup into bowls and sprinkle with chopped dill for freshness. Add a handful of croutons on top for a satisfying crunch.
  2. Enjoy:
    Serve warm, with extra croutons on the side if desired.
  • Prep Time: 15mins
  • Cook Time: 30mins