SOUPERY SOUP TOPPINGS!
wow - that is a meaningful soup topping!
A swirl/splash of yoghurt or crème fraîche, a pile of seriously-crispy croutons, a sprinkling of fresh herbs, a drizzle of flavoured oil or a scattering of nuts and/or seeds are great to add an extra dimension to your soups but soup-lovers seem to be going out on a limb to make their soups really come alive with all manner of toppings! Let’s investigate!
The above pic and recipe with thanks to Coles Australia is a pumpkin soup with a topping that involves smoked ham, quinoa, rolled oats, all manner of seeds, flaked almonds, chives and honey and there is absolutely no doubt that this is a meal in a bowl!! I fancy that this style of topping could marry rather well with a vast range of silky and pureed soups.
Perhaps I haven’t been sufficiently adventurous with my souperydupery soups? Must try harder! But I am rather pleased with the red pepper topping for my Squash & Sage Soup which gives it a delightful kick!
other soup toppings worth consideration
Baked Parmesan Crisps - arrange a few piles of parmesan or other hard cheeses on a baking tray and bake in a medium oven for 5 minutes - watch them closely!
Gremolata - see my recipe for Cataplana
Pesto - homemade or ready-made
Streusel - pan-fry tart berries with chopped mixed nuts, a little sugar and a fair amount of spice - apparently it is great with pureed vegetable soups
Pickles - particularly dill pickles, very finely chopped on a beautifully-smooth tomato soup
Tempura squid, prawns or vegetables - haven’t tried this as yet but I imagine the extra ‘crunch’ atop a soup would be well-delicious!
Nut butters and tahini - these could definitely work with fairly ‘punchy’ soups like Roasted Tomato, Red Pepper and Chorizo or Lamb, Rice and Spinach
Romesco Sauce/Dip - this is so perfect with roasted vegetables so I can’t see a single reason for not dolloping a spoonful over soups! - here is the recipe
