It's also an easy way to add vegetables and grains to your diet. Soup can be thin or thick, from a light broth to a hearty chowder. Serve it as a first course, a main course or even a between-meals snack. Incorporate all kinds of nutritious ingredients. Because you consume the cooking liquid, soup helps preserve nutrients that might otherwise be lost during preparation.
Stocks are the foundation of flavor in homemade soups.
Vegetable stock and degreased chicken or fish stock provide the basis for a wide variety of low-fat soups. After about 20 minutes, puree the soup, then add low-fat milk, salt, black pepper and a pinch of cayenne. Heat through gently before serving. Another easy soup idea is vegetable barley. Then, simmer the mixture in chicken stock for an hour or until the barley is tender.