Finnish Summer Soup

Finnish Summer Soup Recipe - Delicious and Authentic Finnish Cuisine

Region / culture: Finland | Preparation time: 15 minutes | Cooking time: 15 minutes | Servings: 4

Introduction

Finnish Summer Soup is a light and refreshing dish that is perfect for warm weather. This soup is packed with fresh vegetables and a creamy broth, making it a satisfying and delicious meal.

History

Finnish Summer Soup has been a popular dish in Finland for generations. It is typically made with a variety of fresh vegetables that are in season during the summer months. This soup is a great way to enjoy the bounty of the summer harvest.

Ingredients

2 cups water
0.5 cauliflower (cut into florets)
6 small thin-skinned potatoes
1 tsp salt
0.13 tsp white pepper
2 tbsp butter or margarine
6 small boiling onions
12 young fresh baby carrots
0.5 lb (227 g) young fresh green beans
2 cups fresh shelled tiny peas
2 cups half and half (light cream)
3 tbsp all-purpose flour

How to prepare

Heat water in a wide 5 qt (4.73 liter) pan until boiling; then add potatoes. Reduce heat.
Cover and simmer for 5 minutes. Add salt, pepper, butter, onions, carrots, green beans, and cauliflower.
Simmer for an additional 8 minutes. Add peas and cook for another 2 minutes or until vegetables are crisp-tender.
In a small bowl, stir together half and half and flour until smooth; then stir into the simmering vegetables.
Cook and stir until the soup slightly thickens, about 5 minutes.
Serving size: 1-0.67 cup.
May be served with open-faced sandwiches of cream cheese on rye, decorated with sliced vegetables.

Variations

You can customize this soup by adding in different vegetables such as zucchini, bell peppers, or spinach. You can also add in cooked chicken or tofu for added protein.

Cooking Tips & Tricks

To make the soup even more flavorful, you can add fresh herbs such as dill or parsley. You can also customize the vegetables in the soup to suit your taste preferences. Feel free to add in other vegetables such as zucchini or bell peppers.

Serving Suggestions

Serve Finnish Summer Soup with open-faced sandwiches of cream cheese on rye, decorated with sliced vegetables for a complete meal.

Cooking Techniques

The key to making Finnish Summer Soup is to simmer the vegetables until they are crisp-tender. This will ensure that the vegetables retain their fresh flavor and texture.

Ingredient Substitutions

If you don't have light cream, you can use half and half or whole milk as a substitute. You can also use butter instead of margarine.

Make Ahead Tips

You can make Finnish Summer Soup ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Simply reheat the soup on the stove before serving.

Presentation Ideas

Serve Finnish Summer Soup in a bowl garnished with fresh herbs such as dill or parsley for a beautiful presentation.

Pairing Recommendations

This soup pairs well with a crisp white wine or a light beer. You can also serve it with a side salad or crusty bread.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Store any leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat the soup on the stove over low heat until warmed through.

Nutrition Information

Calories per serving

Calories: 200 per serving

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates: 25g per serving

Fats

Total Fat: 10g per serving

Proteins

Protein: 5g per serving

Vitamins and minerals

This soup is rich in vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, vitamin A, and potassium.

Alergens

This recipe contains dairy (cream) and gluten (flour).

Summary

Finnish Summer Soup is a nutritious and delicious dish that is perfect for a light summer meal. It is packed with fresh vegetables and creamy broth, making it a satisfying and flavorful dish.

Summary

Finnish Summer Soup is a delicious and nutritious dish that is perfect for warm weather. Packed with fresh vegetables and a creamy broth, this soup is a satisfying and flavorful meal that is sure to please.

How did I get this recipe?

The memory of discovering this recipe for the first time is a cherished one. It was a warm summer day in Finland, and I had been invited to a friend's house for a traditional Finnish meal. As soon as I walked into her kitchen, I was hit with the most incredible aroma. My friend, Maria, was busy chopping vegetables and stirring a large pot on the stove.

I asked her what she was making, and she replied with a smile, "Finnish Summer Soup." I had never heard of it before, but I could tell from the smell that it was going to be delicious. Maria graciously offered to show me how to make it, and I eagerly accepted.

She began by explaining that Finnish Summer Soup is a cold soup made with fresh vegetables, broth, and a touch of cream. It is typically served as a light and refreshing meal on hot summer days. As she continued to cook, I watched in awe as she effortlessly combined ingredients and spices, creating a symphony of flavors in the pot.

I asked her where she learned to make this soup, and she told me that it had been passed down through her family for generations. Each generation had added their own twist to the recipe, making it uniquely theirs. Maria had learned how to make it from her grandmother, who had learned it from her mother, and so on.

As we sat down to enjoy the soup, Maria explained that the key to a good Finnish Summer Soup is using the freshest ingredients possible. She stressed the importance of sourcing local produce and herbs, as they imparted a depth of flavor that could not be replicated with store-bought ingredients.

The first spoonful of soup touched my lips, and I was transported to a world of flavors. The coolness of the soup was a welcome relief from the hot summer day, and the combination of vegetables and herbs danced on my taste buds. I could taste the love and history that had gone into this recipe, and I knew that I had to learn how to make it myself.

After that day, I made it a mission to perfect the recipe for Finnish Summer Soup. I reached out to other friends and family members who had their own versions of the soup, and I experimented with different ingredients and techniques. Each time I made the soup, I felt a connection to my Finnish heritage and to the long line of women who had come before me.

Over the years, I have made countless batches of Finnish Summer Soup, each one slightly different from the last. I have added my own twist to the recipe, incorporating ingredients that I love and that remind me of my childhood. But no matter how many times I make it, the soup always brings me back to that warm summer day in Finland, sitting at Maria's kitchen table and savoring each spoonful.

Now, as I pass on the recipe for Finnish Summer Soup to my own family, I do so with a sense of pride and gratitude. This soup may just be a dish, but to me, it is a symbol of tradition, love, and the power of food to bring people together. And for that, I will always treasure the memory of discovering this recipe for the first time.