Soup for Dinner

If the thought of another bland dinner plate has your family approaching the dinner table with less than total enthusiasm- then rethink your supply stock. You may have more flavour in your cupboards already than you think- namely in those soup cans.Soup is a low-cost secret to adding punch and pizazz to numerous dishes.

Creamy Secret

With all cream soups, you can simply add a can of milk to the soup, pour over chicken pieces and either bake or sauté- or add to pasta for a different sauce.  More than just your warm midday meal, cream soups provide an excellent, flavourful, low-cost base for sauces. They can add texture and taste, transforming boring meals into ones to savour.

No name brands are great staples that have the same effect for a fraction of the cost. Look for lower-sodium variety and use lower fat milk for a healthier option.

Mushroom

Cream of Mushroom soup is a wonderful tool to lend flavour to a number of dishes. Chop mushrooms and onions. Add to can of soup, with milk and place in pan over boneless chicken pieces. Cook until heated through and serve over rice.

Mushroom soup is very good over hamburger meat as well. Sauté ground beef until cooked and drain. Mix beef, onions, chopped celery and peas together in a baking dish. Mix together mushroom soup and a tbsp of soy sauce and pour over meat mixture. Top with crunchy Chinese noodles and bake until bubbly.

Broccoli

Any broccoli fans in your house? Chicken Divan is a great, easy, yummy dish. Combine Cream of Broccoli soup with chopped, cooked broccoli and chopped, cooked chicken. Add milk, and top with cheese and breadcrumbs. Bake until bubbly and cheese is melted. Yum!

Tomato

Tomato soup is super yummy on its own- but did you realize its potential in other dishes? Combine a couple of cans of tomato soup with kidney beans and ground beef. Add a little chili spice (or a lot, depending on your taste) and you have a steamy pot of chili. Add water if necessary to adjust the consistency.

Chicken/Celery

Who says soup is just for main course pizazz? Mix together a can of Cream of Celery or Cream of Chicken with milk and some sour cream. Thinly slice potatoes, carrots, onions and celery and layer in a baking dish. Pour soup mixture over, making sure all veggies are covered.  Bake for about 30-35 minutes in a 425 degree oven, until cooked through.

Chicken Stock

Chicken stock (or broth) may be your best-kept kitchen secret. What is great about this soupy wonder is that it lends a punch of subtle flavour. Use chicken broth in place of water when making rice. It tastes much better!

Also, chicken stock is a great alternative if you are trying to cut back on fat. Use in a pan, in place of oil or butter. Use chicken broth instead of milk when making mashed potatoes, to cut calories, fat and cost.