Romaine Lettuce Soup
A silky, comforting soup with fresh romaine lettuce, enriched with creamy evaporated milk and savory onion, perfect for a light lunch or starter, garnished with buttery croutons.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Cook chopped romaine lettuce and water in a pressure cooker for 5 minutes.
- Heat chopped onion in melted butter over low heat until soft.
- Add the cooked lettuce and water mixture to the onion and butter.
- Add chicken broth, evaporated milk, salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
- Simmer the soup for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Garnish with browned and buttered croutons before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
For a creamier texture, consider substituting the evaporated milk with heavy cream. If you want to reduce calories, use a light cream or milk instead. Fresh herbs like basil or chives can enhance flavor. If you don’t have a pressure cooker, simmer the lettuce and water in a pot until tender. This soup is versatile and can be adapted with leftover vegetables for added nutrition.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the romaine lettuce soup hot, garnished with browned croutons for added texture. This soup pairs beautifully with a light salad, such as a Club Salad, or crusty bread for dipping. For a heartier meal, consider serving it as a starter alongside Chicken Baked In Sherry-Cream.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When reheating, do so gently on the stove over low heat to prevent curdling of the milk. If the soup thickens too much, add a splash of broth or water to reach your desired consistency.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Romaine Lettuce Soup contains roughly 692 calories, with 16g protein, 102g carbohydrates, and 25g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (53% of the Daily Value), iron (34% of the Daily Value), and protein (32% of the Daily Value), and a good source of calcium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 794mg per serving (35% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this soup vegetarian?
Yes, you can easily make this soup vegetarian by substituting the chicken broth with vegetable broth. Additionally, you can enhance the flavor by adding more herbs or spices to compensate for the absence of meat. This variation will still provide a delicious and satisfying dish.
Can I freeze this soup?
It's not recommended to freeze this soup due to the milk content, as it may separate once thawed. However, you can freeze the soup without the milk, then add it when reheating. This method helps maintain the soup's texture and flavor.
What can I serve with this soup?
This soup pairs well with various dishes, such as a light sandwich or a side salad. Consider serving it with a Chicken recipes like Chunky Chicken Salad for a balanced meal. You can also add some cheese toast for a comforting touch.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).