. Fun Soup Recipes for KIds Seriously Soupy

Friday, September 17, 2010

Fun Soup Recipes for KIds

Smile -- It's soup time! Image Credit: http://fotobank.ru/
 10 Super Soup Recipes for Kids

For the most part, kids are picky eaters. No matter how much you try or how finely you chop those veggies; kids have a way of spotting out the green and pushing it aside in disgust or in the form of a fit. As a mom to a two-and-half year old, I've tried to present veggies as they are, then we that didn't work I tried to sneak them into anything I could -- pasta, smoothies, and even mostly recently in a spinach cake. Some were successful attempts, others not as much. One successful method (at least 90% of the time) has been the inclusion of vegetables into soups. I've scoured the web for some of the best recipes for kids (as well as supplied some of my own) -- for their versatility, ease of preparation, tastiness, and of course ease with which your child will eat them. Of course, these are general ideas, so please feel free to share your own soup secrets.

Loaded Baked Potato Soup by Bitchin' Camero
 1. Loaded Baked Potato Soup - Potatoes are generally a go to food for kids, and with its high concentration of Vitamin C, cooper and fiber parents should be serving them quite often. This soup recipe by Bitchin' Camero is touted as a soup for the sports season, but I also think a filling recipe like this would be ideal for kids. Not only does the soup include potatoes but it is 'loaded' with bacon, cheddar cheese, yogurt and spinach. Camero also lists some great suggestions for toppings -- broccoli, salsa, tomatoes, mushrooms to a name a few choices.  

2. Pea Soup - Dubbed as a "kids' favorite," this soup recipe includes carrots, potatoes, broth, celery and ham that is an exciting soup for youngsters and their parents. Also, check out this Spicy Black Eyed-Pea Soup by Seitanic Vegan Heathen (great name!) for a vegan variation on this classic recipe. 

3. Kid's Soup - Simple title, but this soup is vegetable powerhouse that includes all the good stuff that kids need as well as the pasta that they love. I love how it includes zucchini, cauliflower, carrots, tomatoes, corn and peas. I might add some fresh basil or sage to enhance the flavors. 


Carrot Ginger Soup as Featured on Babble
4. Carrot Ginger Soup - Another veggie that some kids don't have a problem eating is carrots. This sweet vegetable is packed with Vitamin C that thanks to the addition of ginger and curry that will boost the flavor. 


Spinach and Corn Soup - Seriously Soupy
5. Spinach and Corn Soup - I've found that spinach can be a difficult food to get my tot to eat (and I'm pretty sure I'm not alone on that one). However, this soup and its combination of sweet corn, cream and herbs dulled down the ever-so-scary green color that was enjoyed by kids under three and even by dads that are over 30.


Sweet Potato and Cranberry Soup - Seriously Soupy
6.  Sweet Potato and Cranberry Soup - I made this soup over the holiday's, but this healthy sweet potato soup is a great treat for your kids year round. Dubbed as a "super food," sweet potatoes are packed with beta cartone and Vitamins A and C. The addition of cranberries (if your kid will eat them) supplies an additional boost of antioxidants and fiber. 

Black-Eyed Peas and Mixed Veggie Soup - Seriously Soupy
7. Black-Eyed Peas and Mixed Veggie Soup - This was a big hit in the Soupy household that I made during the start of the new year. I was shocked as my toddler not only devoured the beans but ate the kale with gusto. The simple seasonings - garlic, celery salt, salt and pepper -- along with leeks and beets made for a healthy and very filling soup. If your child is picky about the kale, omit it -- the black-eyed peas alone will make for a filling and very fiber-rich soup. 

Cauliflower Soup with Tandoori Yogurt by Kahakai Kitchen
8. Cauliflower Soup with Tandoori Yogurt - Cauliflower doesn't have be boring anymore thanks to this brilliant recipe by Deb of Kahakai Kitchen. Originally from the Canyon Ranch Healthy Living Club, this thick and creamy soup is packed with seasonings (cumin, garlic, ginger, etc), leeks, carrots and cauliflower for a healthy and tasty soup for kids of all ages.  

9. Simple Soups for a (Silly) Toddler - Yes, they sure are silly and keeping things simple is definitely the name of the game. I really enjoyed reading this recipe by Scatter the Batter that includes several variations of a chicken/vegetable soup. Scatter suggests starting with a pressure cooker and adding a heaping of veggies (carrots, tomatoes, onions, pumpkin or peas), along with some spices (ginger, garlic, cinnamon, etc). This is a great base to get you started in your soup making since every child is different whose tastes and preferences need to be varied. 

Vegetable Soup by Green Lite Bites
 10. Vegetable Soup - But maybe instead of sneaking veggies, it's better to introduce them early on in their natural form. This vegetable soup by Green Lite Bites is certainly a good way to start.  Packed with leeks, green beans, carrots, beans and fresh herbs, the author noted that this recipe is her son's new favorite and one that I can't wait to try myself.

More Kid-Friendly Soup Ideas:
Mac and Cheese Soup - Pasta + cheese in a soup! What's not to love?
Butternut Squash and Carrot soup - A classic sweet and hearty soup, great for the fall. Also, check out Jessica Hulett's Acorn Squash Soup recipe with the tasty addition of coconut milk, ginger root and cayenne pepper.
Chicken and Wild Rice Soup - A classic chicken soup by What's for Supper Sister, except this one that includes wild rice, almonds, carrots, celery and onions. If it's too rich for you and your little ones, omit the cream and butter.
Cream of Broccoli Soup - If they can get past the green, this soup is sure to please: creamy, rich and delicious. 
Lentil Soup - Another classic, this soup recipe also includes sweet potatoes, spinach, carrots and some peanut butter.

Note: Some of these recipes include spices and ingredients that a lot of kids won't try -- despite how blended together or disguised a recipe is. If your child is picky, start slow - maybe by using salt and pepper - to gradually building up their taste buds. 



What soups do you make for your kids?


Seriously Soupy Serena

3 comments:

  1. ha ha -- me too. It's how I feel when I have soup.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Fun soups--a great way to get kids to eat their veggies for sure. ;-) Thanks for linking in my Cauliflower Soup too--it is in good company here!

    ReplyDelete