Create-Your-Own-One-Bowl Soups
Submitted by Sunphlower
Create-your-own one-bowl soup: a flexible single-serving formula that turns leftover meat, rice or pasta, and vegetables into a quick homemade soup, with a fresh lettuce leaf simmered on top for brightness.
YIELD
1 batchPREP
30 minCOOK
1 hrsREADY
1 hrsLess a fixed recipe than a clever template, this build-your-own soup is the answer to a fridge full of odds and ends. Start with a cup of chicken or beef stock, then add whatever you have: a bit of cooked meat, poultry, or fish; a scoop of rice, pasta, or potato; a handful of mixed vegetables; and a little canned tomato.
A pinch of thyme, parsley, garlic powder, a bay leaf, and a touch of sugar to balance the tomato turn those odds and ends into something that tastes intentional.
The standout trick is the lettuce leaf. Laid right on top while the soup simmers, then removed before serving, it adds a subtle fresh, green note you won’t get any other way, an old frugal-cook’s secret worth trying.
Everything simmers gently in one small pot, ready in about 20 minutes with cooked ingredients, longer for raw vegetables. A single satisfying bowl, made your way.
Kitchen Tips
- Use whatever cooked leftovers you have; this formula is built for clearing out the fridge.
- Don’t skip the lettuce leaf on top; it lends a fresh, green taste, and lift it out before serving.
- Add the pinch of sugar to round out the acidity of the canned tomatoes.
- If using raw vegetables, give the soup the full 30 minutes so they cook through tender.
Variations
- Go Italian with white beans, pasta, and a Parmesan rind.
- Make it Asian with soy sauce, ginger, and rice noodles.
- Bulk it up with a beaten egg stirred in at the end for an egg-drop style soup.
Ingredients
Directions
Add any combinations of the following: ¼ cup any cooked meat, poultry or fish ¼ cup cooked rice, pasta or potatoes or combination of two 1 cup mixed frozen vegetables or mix your own, such as celery, onion, green beans, corn, carrots and cabbage ½ cup canned tomatoes Pinch of thyme, parsley, garlic powder and ½ small bay leaf (remove bay leaf before serving) Salt and pepper to taste ¼ teaspoon sugar Fresh green lettuce leaf to add fresh taste Combine everything in a 2-cup saucepan in order listed. Lay lettuce leaf on top; cover and bring to a boil. Lower heat to simmer and cook gently for 20 minutes. If using raw vegetables, cook 30 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Remove bay leaf and lettuce leaf. Enjoy.
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