A Deliciously Tasty Cream of Spinach Soup Recipe
Spinach was first cultivated in Persia (modern day Iran), over 2000 years ago. But it wasn’t until the leafy green made its way to China in the 6th century that it became a regular fixture in people’s dishes and diets. In the 11th century, Arabs introduced it to Spain, and by the 14th century it was being used in kitchens all over Europe.
Eventually, (like most other ingredients), some brilliant chef decided to take a chance and put some spinach into a stockpot with cream and spices. The first recorded evidence of this delightful soup came from an English philosopher, John Locke. While traveling through France in the 15th century, he wrote of a delicious soup made with spinach.
Over the years, cream of spinach soup has become popular in many countries, including South Africa, India, and parts of the United States. It’s no wonder, because this velvety soup is near perfect. Even kids that don’t like spinach enjoy the rustic, nutty flavor of this creamy creation.
It’s also one of the most versatile soups. You can serve it as an appetizer, side dish, main course, or even a nice snack on a lazy, cold Saturday afternoon. Then there’s the fact that this bowl of tastiness is also chock full of nutrients. Cream of spinach soup is loaded with vitamins C, A, and K. It’s got a ton of iron and calcium.
This soup is great for digestion, shedding excess water, and for pregnant women. One final perk of this easy to make gem, is that it can be eaten hot, cold, or lukewarm. So if you’re in the mood for a soup that will delight your tastebuds while giving you your daily allowance of vitamins as well, check out our deliciously tasty cream of spinach soup recipe.
A Deliciously Tasty Cream Of Spinach Soup Recipe
- Total Time: 40-45 minutes
- Servings: 4
Ingredients
- 3 bunches of fresh spinach
- 3 tablespoons of butter
- 3 tablespoons of grated carrots
- 3 cups of chicken stock
- 3/4 cup of onions, diced
- 1 celery rib, chopped
- 1 cup of cream
- 1 tablespoon of garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 1/4 teaspoon of fresh ground pepper
- 1 dash of nutmeg or allspice
- 1/2 cup of chopped chives
Directions
1. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over a medium heat.
2. Add the onions and carrots, and sauté until softened (about 3 to 5 minutes).
3. Add the chicken stock and turn the heat to high. Bring it to a boil, and add the spinach.
4. Reduce heat to medium and let simmer until the spinach is done (about 10 minutes).
5. Add the cream by slowly whisking it in and stirring occasionally. Then add in the garlic, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Cook for about 5 more minutes.
6. Remove from heat, add chives for garnish, and serve.
How Long Does Cream Of Spinach Soup Last?
Cream of spinach soup will last for 3 to 4 days in your refrigerator, when placed in an airtight container. If you’d like to store it longer, the soup will stay fresh for about 3 months in the freezer. It will still be safe to eat after that, but the cream will start to degrade and give the soup a gritty texture.
How To Properly Wash Your Spinach?
Spinach is full of nutrients and really good flavors, but it can also be full of bacteria, pesticides, soil, and sand. So it’s vital, when preparing the soup ingredients, that you properly wash your spinach. Here’s a few tips for squeaky clean greens.
1. Even if you think they’re clean, wash your hands. You never know what could be lurking.
2. Pick out any wilted or brown leaves. Also check for mold, and discard leaves that have holes.
3. Fill a pot or bowl with cold water (never warm or hot – you’ll wilt the leaves), and swish them around a bit. Let them sit for about 5 minutes. Much of the debris will fall to the bottom of the container.
4. Put the spinach in a colander and wash as you would lettuce.
5. Dry the spinach using a salad spinner or paper towel.
6. Use the spinach immediately or store in the fridge. Leaving it sitting out can cause it to wilt and collect bacteria.
Can You Substitute Or Add Ingredients To Your Cream Of Spinach Soup Recipe?
The great thing about cream of spinach soup, is that you can tweak it to suit your nutritional or health needs. For example, if you’re vegetarian or vegan, simply substitute the chicken broth with vegetable broth. If you want a thicker soup with a bit more bulk, add some potatoes to the mix. Cream can also be substituted with:
- half and half
- milk
- Greek yogurt
- coconut milk
- buttermilk
Feel free to experiment with your spices as well. Many folks like to add in some cayenne pepper, cumin, dill, even some Parmesan cheese.
What Pairs Well With Cream Of Spinach Soup?
As we said earlier, cream of spinach soup is great as an appetizer, main course, or a side. This means that it can be paired with a huge variety of other delicious dishes. From meats to breads, here are a few suggestions.
1. Meat
Cream of spinach soup will go great with any type of meat. From a nice grilled steak, baked salmon, or fried chicken. Whatever type of protein you’re craving, cream of spinach soup will be a delicious addition.
2. Bread
We all know bread and soup are perfect together. So why not bake a nice French baguette, buttermilk biscuits, or a loaf of sourdough to go with your spinach soup.
3. Salad
Whatever your salad side fancies, it will pair perfectly with cream of spinach soup. Keep it simple with a nice garden salad, use leftover greens to make a tangy beets f spinach salad with balsamic vinegar, or make a tasty Greek salad that’s filling and satisfying.
4. Fries
They don’t need to be made from white potatoes. They could be made from sweet potatoes, zucchini, green beans, yucca, or the fries of your choice.
What Are Some Other Great Creamy Vegetable Soups?
If you love this cream of spinach soup, you’re in luck, because there’s a vast array of creamy vegetable- based soups including:
- cream of mushroom
- cream of asparagus
- cream of broccoli
- cream of onion
- cream of carrot
- cream of celery
- cream of cauliflower
You can also combine all of these ingredients to make a delicious cream-based, all-veggie soup. Feel free to experiment with your favorite veggies, and be sure to let us know how it went.
