Put down your tin opener, step away from the canned soup and dust off your wooden spoons. There’s never been a better time to get experimental with soup making, and what’s more, the masters of flavour at Bullshot HQ have come up with some great ideas to thicken, garnish and serve your culinary creations with.
Hearty, nutritious and versatile, soup is the ideal dish for giving your body an instant health boost as well as a satisfying meal. With infinite different flavours and textures, soup can be anything from a traditional creamy chicken broth or chunky minestrone, to a bespoke creation made with all your favourite ingredients. But key to the success of any good soup is having a rich, wholesome base on which to layer your flavours. Using a natural, velvety bone broth like Bullshot means that not only will your creation gain an instant layer of gourmet flavour, but will also benefit from a host of easy-to-absorb vitamins and minerals.
Layer bone broth with your choice of fresh vegetables, shredded meat, lentils, beans and spices to create a flavour-blend that suits your palette, or simply follow your favourite recipe. Either way, the beauty of soup is that it’s quick, easy, and perfect for incorporating into a healthy lifestyle. Click here for recipe inspiration.
How to thicken soup
Using healthy, natural ingredients to thicken your soup is a great way to take it from an understated broth to a hearty offering, while adding bursts of extra flavour, texture and nutrition. The most traditional way to thicken soup is with a simple flour and butter paste. Easy and cost effective, this is a great way to impart denser texture and bolster out your recipe. Simply mix a teaspoon of plain flour with a teaspoon of soft butter, and add to the soup as it simmers. The flour will act as the thickening agent while the butter will help it disperse evenly throughout the liquid.
However, for those on a low-calorie, no-carbohydrate or dairy-free diet, the flour and butter thickening method isn’t going to offer a viable solution, so we’ve put together a list of natural, alternative ingredients - all perfect for thickening your soup, as well as turbo-charging it with flavour and nutrition.
· Sweet potato Root vegetables such as sweet potatoes, parsnips and carrots will all add a wonderfully chunky texture to your soup. These whole foods are a great natural source of vitamins and minerals, plus they’re filling and add a comforting flavour to soups and broths. Versatile and delicious, root vegetables can be chopped into a soup for a rustic, chunky texture or blended into the broth for a creamy, thicker consistency.
· Avocados A healthy source of natural fat, avocados have long since been a favourite ingredient for health-conscious foodies who favour them for their natural oils. Containing a huge variety of nutrients and antioxidants, including folic acid, omega 3, magnesium, potassium and fibre, avocados are a fantastic source for helping to promote healthy skin, hair and nails. Also a great thickening agent, avocado provides a dairy-free alternative to help give soups a creamy texture. Blend an avocado with a portion of broth, then combine it with your soup for a silky, smooth mouth-feel.
· Nuts Rich in proteins, lipids, and minerals, chopped nuts make a wonderfully versatile topping for soups. Sprinkle a variety of nuts as a garnish on your soup for an amazing protein boost, which will help keep you feeling full for longer. Unsalted cashews, peanuts, almonds and walnuts are the perfect accompaniment for thick vegetable broths such as celery soup.
· Beans and pulses Hugely beneficial for increasing protein in your soups, beans and pulses can be blended into your broth or left whole to add bite to your soup. Lentils, kidney beans and chickpeas are packed with valuable iron and fibre, helping to satisfy appetite and promote energy and strength.
· Bone broth Cooking your soup with a base of bone broth is the ultimate way to add flavour and boost the nutritional profile of your soup. Bringing a whole host of benefits, bone broth’s super-nutrients include valuable gelatin for digestive health, collagen for skin radiance and a glut of powerful vitamins to help promote whole body wellness and healing.
· Coconut milk A natural source of protein and amino acids, coconut milk is a fantastically tasty addition for helping to minimise carbohydrate intake, plus its smooth, silky texture and cooling flavour can be a welcome addition to spicy soups. Paired with chilli, lime and lemongrass, coconut milk offers a wonderfully aromatic way to stir flavour, fragrance and valuable nutrients into your soup.
· Leafy greens Leafy greens such as kale, spinach and watercress are brimming with health benefits; adding a handful to your soup will instantly boost its nutritional value, with their high levels of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K and antioxidants. Great for helping to enhance the immune system and promote bone health, leafy greens are a valuable addition for soups. Why not sprinkle a handful of chopped fresh herbs on top of your soup too? For an instant flavour kick, fresh parsley, basil, chives and coriander are all fantastic compliments to creamy soups such a tomato, carrot or chicken.
· Apple puree The perfect way to add interest and variety to soup, a spoon of apple puree or a handful of shredded apple will add texture and sweetness to earthy, autumnal soups. The perfect complement to warming parsnip soup, apple puree is a natural, dairy-free way to add thickness and texture, plus this whole-food provides a boost of fiber and a host of anti-oxidants.
· Eggs Beat egg yolks in a bowl with a cup of warm bone broth before adding the mixture to your soup to cook. This is a simple and effective way to thicken soup while giving a serious protein kick to your body – ideal for increasing energy levels and promoting bone health.
· Natural yoghurt Creamy, fresh and bursting with protein, calcium and probiotics, natural yoghurt is a real hero for enhancing gut health. Blend a spoonful of yoghurt with a cup of bone broth before adding to the soup as a thickener, or simply add it to the top of thick soups as a garnish.
· Brown rice Natural, wholesome and filling, brown rice is a great way to add texture to a soup, taking it from a light dish to a substantial meal. Try adding rice to bone broth and simmer until the rice is soft. As it breaks down, the natural starch released from the rice will thicken the broth.
Does soup thicken as it simmers?
In short, yes it does! If the lid is left off during simmering, the liquid will slowly evaporate, leaving a more concentrated, dense solution. Simmering is a great technique for thickening an array of dishes, but be careful not to over-simmer your dish; the liquid is often the main component to a soup, so the portion size will decrease if there is less liquid in the dish.