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There is no denying that we all love soup. There is not a SINGLE house that can do without it, considering it’s incredibly versatile, filling, and tasty at the same time.
But sometimes, knowing how to serve soup as a main course or what pairs well with it can be challenging.
Fortunately, that one is a breeze!
To mention a few, you can do that by adding side dishes like salads, rolls, spreads, or even vegetables.
And there are more ways to enjoy your soups, as the main course below.
Take my hands, and let me walk you through it all. Come with me!
How To Serve Soup As A Main Course
Can soup be served as a main course?
Yes, it sure can! Soups are generally light, so it’s not often eaten as a main course but as an appetizer.
Here are a few tips on how to successfully serve soup as a main course:
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Have It With Good Bread
Serve your soup with some fresh bread. You can buy some or better still make yours at home.
The Bigger, The Better
As said earlier, soups are generally light, so increasing the quantity of soup you want to cook does the trick.
You wouldn’t want to run out right in the middle of dinner.
Add Some Meat
Meats are good with soup so next time, try adding some chunks to your soup.
They are not only quite filling but also improve your soup taste.
Add Side Dishes
We can’t possibly be done with this thread without giving this tip.
Many fantastic side dishes are available and can readily go well with your soup. Some examples of side dishes are sandwiches, spreads, salads, vegetables, and rolls.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Is It Called Soup?
Soup is a liquid food made specially by cooking vegetables, meat or fish in water and usually served hot. This is just the definition of soup.
The English word soup has its roots in the Germanic family of languages, from where it spread to modern words like supper and sup (once defined as a liquid consumed).
This moved to Latin before the 6th century and meant “a piece of bread eaten in broth” —”suppa.”
It then moved to France, which started to mean the broth-soaked bread and the broth itself.
The word came to the English Channel in the 17th century, and people started making soups instead of just pottages or broths, formerly known.
When Should It Be Served?
In the course of serving a meal, people are ignorant of when one is supposed to take the soup. Soup is a replenishing, zesty and perfect meal.
It plays a vital role on the menu and could be served as a small dish of food before the main part of the meal.
Scientifically, soup, along with being appetizing, helps in the secretion of digestive enzymes in the stomach, which aid in the proper digestion of the main meal afterward.
Furthermore, a bowl of soup can cut the subsequent food intake because it increases fullness and decreases hunger.
Research proves that soup may reduce the intake of the main meal more than any other item; therefore, it should be taken before the main meal.
At What Temperature Should Soup Be Served?
An essential factor to consider in serving the soup is the temperature of the soup. As the soup cools, its flavor will also change.
The savory sensation will decline as the soup drops to or below room temperature. It will also taste saltier.
The research found that taste compounds, including those associated with savory sensation, increase with temperature.
These compounds can also be boosted by longer cooking times. These effects were temperature dependent.
However, the hotter the soup, the zestier it can be.
Although it is essential to know the difference between the cooking and the serving temperatures.
The soup should not be served above 120⁰F because anything above this range could cause burn instantly.
Lastly, the best serving temperature of soup should be around the pain threshold of the tongue, which is about 153⁰F.
See Also: How To Cook Corn On The Cob In The Oven Without Foil
Why Should Soup Be On Your Menu?
Soups have remained a necessary part of many cuisines around the globe.
They can be traced back to 4000BC. Different soups are found to accord various benefits.
Much scientific evidence supports that soup should be included in one’s diet because of its various advantages to the body.
Here is a clarification of what a bowl of soup offers to an individual and why one should add it to one’s menu:
It May Help In Weight Loss
Eating soup can enhance the condition of being full after eating and reduce energy intake. They are naturally filling and can be low-calorie.
So they can be used when you want to drop a few pounds without too much effort.
It May Help Make You Feel Better When You’re Sick
This may be seen as a myth.
Although it may not be the cure for colds, research suggests that it likely does possess qualities that can help you heal faster or feel better for the duration of your sickness.
It Helps Keep You Warm
When the temperature outside gets cold, nothing will stand as a substitute for a bowl of soup.
Unlike beverages that keep you dehydrated, the soup will ensure hydration of the body and keep you warm through cold weather.
How Long Can Soup Stay Before It Becomes Unsafe?
As much as we are haste to eat, we shouldn’t forget that there may be leftovers.
The critical factor to be considered here is the temperature at which the soup is kept.
The soup should not be kept at room temperature above 2hrs. Ensure the container or pot is cold or rapidly chilled in a cold water bath before refrigerating.
However, leftovers can be kept for 3 to 4days in the refrigerator. After that, the risk of food poisoning is prominent.
If you think you won’t be able to consume the soup within 4days, then it will be best for you to freeze it because frozen substances tend to stay for a long time.
Conclusion
Although serving soup as a main course meal isn’t outright popular, you can never be wrong about it.
In addition to the fact that many soups can be easily prepared, their ingredients are also relatively cheap and available.
Regardless of the type of soup you decide to serve, whether it is thick and spicy or broth-based and thin, which emphasizes vegetables or meat, serving soup as a main course can be one of the best and stress-free decisions you can make.
Soup is a meal for the soul.
