Cream soup: a comfort food for the cold season, good for body and soul: cream soup is undoubtedly one of the most beloved treats of the cold season, warming the stomach and, let’s face it, even the heart. At the AbanoRitz restaurant, we offer a different one almost every evening, because it’s a dish capable of combining flavor, simplicity, and well-being, adapting to the rhythms of nature and the seasonality of the ingredients.
La vellutata: comfort food della stagione fredda, buono per il corpo e per l’anima: la vellutata è senza dubbio una delle coccole più amate della stagione fredda, riscalda lo stomaco e, diciamolo, anche un po’ il cuore. Al ristorante dell’AbanoRitz ne proponiamo una diversa quasi ogni sera, perché è un piatto capace di unire gusto, semplicità e benessere, adattandosi ai ritmi della natura e alla stagionalità degli ingredienti.
Cream soup is a preparation made from vegetables cooked in water or broth, blended until smooth and uniform, and thickened with a roux, a mixture of equal parts butter and flour (or starch). It differs from creamed vegetable soup, in which potatoes act as a thickener. In everyday practice, however, the two terms are often used interchangeably.
Nutritionally, creamy soups and soups are an excellent way to increase your vegetable intake, preserving fiber, vitamins, and minerals, especially if cooked gently and briefly. They’re light, easily digestible, and naturally hydrating: perfect for those seeking a balanced diet without sacrificing flavor.
The preparation is simple and accessible to everyone. The vegetables are cut into similarly sized pieces and cooked in water or, better yet, in a light vegetable broth. Once cooked, they are blended with an immersion blender. For the cream soup, prepare the roux separately and then add it to the blended vegetables, stirring carefully to avoid lumps. For the cream soup, add cooked potatoes directly to the vegetables and blend again. If desired, you can add a little cream to make the mixture even smoother: a small amount is enough to round out the flavor without overpowering the dish.
A cream soup is delicious on its own, but it can become a complete meal if enhanced with a few extra ingredients. Adding toppings not only makes the dish more delicious, but also helps balance the meal nutritionally.
Here are some delicious, beautiful, and healthy ideas: bread croutons, plain or flavored with chopped herbs, add carbohydrates and a pleasant crunch. Dried fruit (walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds, cashews), whole or chopped, are rich in healthy fats. Crispy baked chickpeas, perhaps spiced, are a plant-based source of protein and fiber, ideal for making soup more filling. Crumbled rice cakes, for a light touch. Flaxseeds, pumpkin, sunflower, sesame, or poppy seeds: small, flavorful, and rich in micronutrients that are valuable for the heart, bones, and intestines. Popcorn, for a fun touch… A drizzle of soy sauce can add an oriental note and natural flavor, reducing the need for salt. A spoonful of yogurt sauce creates a pleasant hot-cold contrast, as well as adding contrast. And then spices: paprika, curry, saffron, or even a pinch of cinnamon can transform a simple soup into a surprising dish, stimulating the senses and aiding digestion.
In short, cream soup is much more than a simple soup: it’s a dish that speaks of seasons and territory, of creativity and health…
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