Easy Garnishes

Appears in

Published 2012

About

A garnish is an easy way to elevate the flavor and the presentation of a bowl of soup. Many garnishes, such as croutons and crumbled bacon, also add texture to creamy soups.

BREAD CRUMBS Drizzle fresh bread crumbs with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, then toast in a toaster oven or in a 350°F(180°C) oven until golden.
CROUTONS To make your own croutons, drizzle thin slices or cubes of baguette or other crusty bread with olive oil, sprinkle with salt, and then toast in a toaster oven or on a baking sheet in a 350°F(180°C) oven until lightly browned.
CRUMBLED BACON Brown some extra bacon when cooking it for a soup base, then chop and sprinkle over each serving.
CRUMBLED TORTILLA CHIPS Sprinkle over Latin-inspired soups to add texture and color; pass additional crumbled chips at the table.
EXTRA-VIRGIN OLIVE OIL Drizzle a little fruity, bright green olive oil over each serving, making a spiral or zigzag pattern. It will add flavor and style to many Italian and other Mediterranean soups and is particularly appealing on the surface of thick vegetable purées.
FETA OR BLUE CHEESE Crumble fresh feta cheese or a mild blue cheese over each serving to add another layer of flavor.
FRESH CHIVES Snip with kitchen scissors, allowing the bits to fall directly onto a bowl of soup.
FRESH LEAFY HERBS Strip leaves from stems and then roughly chop any large leaves if necessary.
PARMESAN OR AGED PECORINO CHEESE Grate or shave directly onto a bowl of soup for the best flavor.
QUESO FRESCO Crumble this soft, white cheese over each serving; it is ideal for Latin-inspired soups.
SALSA Top Latin-inspired soups with a dollop of purchased salsa. If desired, add a small spoonful of sour cream and top it with a fresh cilantro (fresh coriander) leaf.
SOUR CREAM, PLAIN YOGURT, OR CRÈME FRAÎCHE Thin with milk or cream and, using a teaspoon, drizzle over a bowl of soup.