Last Updated On June 10th, 2020
Wondering how to use a soup maker for those family favourite recipes? You’ve come to the right place. We’re going to talk about everything you need to know so you can safely (and efficiently) make the most out of your new kitchen appliance.
There’s nothing like a piping hot bowl of soup to warm your heart when winter hits.
Even during the warmer months of the year, the right combination of vegetables and spices can be all it takes to send your mind back to a simpler time. The only problem is that the process of making a homemade soup can be time-consuming and exhausting. There’s so much food preparation involved like chopping, boiling and washing up, that you might find yourself reaching for the tinned goods instead. All-in-one home soup makers from brands like Morphy Richards, Tefal, Cuisinart and more will allow you to bypass the complexities of soup making.
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How Does a Soup Maker Work?
Soup makers are probably one of the most popular small kitchen appliances out there (particularly in colder climates), it is a fantastic piece of technology, ideal for anyone who needs help getting their “five-a-day.”
The features you’ll find in your soup maker will depend on the make and model that you get. Some options come with more advanced capabilities than others – products from Morphy Richards offers a saute function while Cuisinart can be used as a blender and is even capable of crushing ice. Still, other soup makers offer functions like automatic cooking estimation times and blitzing for chunkier soups.
Regardless of the available special features, most soup makers work in the same way as a blender which is by mixing ingredients together. Although, it differs from a blender because a soup maker can heat up the food while blending to make a healthy meal filled with natural flavours. Some soup makers also come with “warming” settings that keep your soup at a warm temperature for an extended period. Most soup makers also come with a “manual” blending setting so you can choose the ideal thickness for your soup.
Though the variety of recipes you are using and the amount of heat you are cooking with will affect how long it takes for your soup to cook, most meals can be prepared within 30 minutes – cutting down a lot of the time typically associated with soup making.
Why Should You Use A Soup Maker?
There are many reasons why you should use a soup maker. But mainly, it is because they simplify the act of creating delicious, healthy soup so that you can prepare recipes in a matter of minutes. Just get a couple of stock cubes and vegetables, put them in, and you’ll get a great-tasting meal in no time.
This is my curried butternut squash soup. @brogantatexo #homemade #homemadesoup #soupmaker #freshfood #soup pic.twitter.com/QnWdpEIqLV
— Heather (@Heather_Shuker) August 29, 2018
Before soup makers, many people relied on slow cookers and hand blenders to make their soups. While this does get the job done, the result was often more items to clean, and the possibility of burning-hot splashes on your skin. So, how do you make the most of your soup maker?
Top Tips on How to Use a Soup Maker
1. Prepare Your Ingredients
Do this in advance as much as possible. You will find that chopped and diced vegetables are easier to cook and blend.
2. Use Boiling Water
When adding liquids, hot is better. Using cold stock can make it harder to distribute the heat throughout the soup maker, leading to some vegetables that are crunchier than others.
3. Pre-cook Meat
Make sure that you pre-cook any meat that you’re putting into your soup maker. Morphy Richards models can saute small pieces of meat. But if you are cooking big slices, most don’t have settings that last long enough for thoroughly cooking them.
4. Secure The Lid
Ensure that the lid is fully sealed before you start the cooking process, and don’t open it again until your soup is done.
5. Using The Pulse Setting
Be wary of the pulse setting: Some soup makers come with a powerful pulse, and you may need to hold down the lid to keep your ingredients secure.
6. Minimum And Maximum Capacity
Follow the guidelines given by your manufacturer for minimum and maximum quantities of ingredients. Remember to pay attention to these guidelines when looking into how to clean your soup maker too.
Can You Use Frozen Veg in a Soup Maker?
Remember that it’s important to be cautious when using a soup maker, just as you would be with any other kitchen appliance. If you plan cooking anything frozen in a soup maker, then most manufacturers recommend making sure that the ingredients are fully thawed first. Otherwise, you could ruin the texture of your soup.
Other safety measures to keep in mind include:
- Never fill the soup maker beyond the manufacturers recommended maximum fill line.
- Do not immerse your soup maker in water to clean it (it’s electrical).
- Keep your soup maker away from the edge of the counter (just in case)
- Make sure the lid stays closed during cooking to avoid splashes and burns.
That’s it! Everything you need to know about how to use a soup maker. What do you love most about your soup maker? Talk to us about it by letting us know in the comments below.
One Response
Hi Lucy I have some dried soup mix can I use this in my soup maker if I soak it over night .new to this
Lynn