Broths and Creams for Light Dinners

Light soups and creamy dishes are ideal for cozy, satisfying dinners, offering warmth, comfort, and nutrition. Perfect for unwinding after a long day, these recipes are packed with wholesome ingredients like fresh vegetables, legumes, and aromatic herbs. Whether you’re looking for a classic potato soup, a spicy pumpkin and ginger blend, or a rich yuca cream with bacon, there’s something here for everyone. Each recipe is simple to prepare and designed to support a balanced, nutritious diet without compromising on flavor. Explore these recipes and discover delicious, heartwarming options to enjoy a lighter, fulfilling evening meal.

1 – Pumpkin and Ginger Cream Soup

Ingredients:

• 500g peeled pumpkin, diced
• 1 chopped onion
• 2 minced garlic cloves
• 1 small piece of grated ginger
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• Olive oil, salt, and pepper to taste
• Chopped parsley for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a pot, heat some olive oil and sauté the onion, garlic, and ginger until golden.
2. Add the pumpkin and vegetable broth. Cook until the pumpkin is soft.
3. Blend everything until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Serve with chopped parsley on top.

2 – Lentil Soup

Ingredients:

• 1 cup lentils
• 1 chopped onion
• 2 minced garlic cloves
• 2 diced carrots
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• Olive oil, salt, and pepper to taste
• Bay leaves (optional)

Instructions:

1. In a pot, heat the olive oil and sauté the onion and garlic until golden.
2. Add the lentils, carrots, vegetable broth, and bay leaves. Cook until the lentils are tender (about 20-30 minutes).
3. Season with salt and pepper. Serve hot.

3 – Caldo Verde (Portuguese Green Soup)

Ingredients:

• 4 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
• 1 chopped onion
• 2 minced garlic cloves
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 2 cups chopped kale
• Olive oil, salt, and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a pot, sauté the onion and garlic in olive oil until golden.
2. Add the potatoes and vegetable broth. Cook until the potatoes are soft.
3. Blend until smooth, return to the pot, add the kale, and cook for another 5 minutes.
4. Season with salt and pepper before serving.

4 – Cauliflower Cream Soup

Ingredients:

• 1 head of cauliflower, chopped
• 1 chopped onion
• 2 minced garlic cloves
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1/2 cup milk (or plant-based milk)
• Olive oil, salt, and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a pot, heat the olive oil and sauté the onion and garlic until golden.
2. Add the cauliflower and vegetable broth. Cook until the cauliflower is soft.
3. Blend with the milk until creamy. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Serve hot.

5 – Tomato Basil Soup

Ingredients:

• 4 ripe tomatoes, chopped
• 1 chopped onion
• 2 minced garlic cloves
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• Fresh basil leaves
• Olive oil, salt, and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a pot, heat the olive oil and sauté the onion and garlic until golden.
2. Add the tomatoes and cook until they break down.
3. Add the vegetable broth and cook for another 10 minutes.
4. Blend the soup, add basil leaves, and season with salt and pepper.
5. Serve hot, garnishing with more basil if desired.

6 – Potato Cream Soup

Ingredients:

• 4 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
• 1 chopped onion
• 2 minced garlic cloves
• 4 cups vegetable broth (or water)
• 1/2 cup heavy cream (or plant-based milk for a lighter version)
• Olive oil, salt, and pepper to taste
• Chopped chives or parsley for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a pot, heat some olive oil and sauté the onion and garlic until golden.
2. Add the potatoes and vegetable broth. Cook until the potatoes are tender (about 15-20 minutes).
3. Blend until smooth. For a chunkier texture, blend partially.
4. Return to the pot, add the cream (or plant-based milk), and reheat. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Serve hot, garnished with chives or parsley.

7 – Yuca Cream Soup

Ingredients:

• 500g yuca, peeled and cut into pieces
• 1 chopped onion
• 2 minced garlic cloves
• 4 cups vegetable broth (or water)
• 1/2 cup heavy cream (or plant-based milk)
• Olive oil, salt, and pepper to taste
• Chopped parsley or chives for garnish

Instructions:

1. Cook the yuca in salted water until soft (about 20-30 minutes). Drain and set aside.
2. In a pot, heat some olive oil and sauté the onion and garlic until golden.
3. Add the cooked yuca and vegetable broth. Cook for another 5 minutes.
4. Blend until smooth. If needed, add more broth to adjust the consistency.
5. Return to the pot, add the cream (or plant-based milk), and reheat. Season with salt and pepper.
6. Serve hot, garnished with parsley or chives.

8 – Yuca Cream Soup with Bacon

Ingredients:

• 500g yuca, peeled and cut into pieces
• 150g diced bacon
• 1 chopped onion
• 2 minced garlic cloves
• Olive oil, salt, and pepper to taste
• Chopped parsley for garnish

Instructions:

1. Cook the yuca in salted water until soft (about 20-30 minutes). Drain and set aside.
2. In a large skillet, fry the bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon and set aside, leaving the fat in the skillet.
3. In the same skillet, add the onion and garlic and sauté until golden.
4. Add the cooked yuca to the skillet, mixing well and frying for a few minutes to let the yuca absorb the flavors.
5. Add the bacon back to the skillet, season with salt and pepper, and mix everything together.
6. Serve hot, garnished with chopped parsley.

9 – Garlic Sautéed Vegetables

Ingredients:

• 1 carrot, cut into strips
• 1 zucchini, sliced
• 1 red bell pepper, cut into strips
• 1 broccoli, cut into florets
• 1 sliced onion
• 2 minced garlic cloves
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Chopped parsley for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
2. Add the onion and garlic, sautéing until golden.
3. Add the carrot and sauté for about 5 minutes until it begins to soften.
4. Add the bell pepper, zucchini, and broccoli. Cook for another 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently, until the vegetables are tender but still crisp.
5. Season with salt and pepper.
6. Serve hot, garnished with chopped parsley.

These recipes are light, nutritious, and perfect for a cozy dinner! Enjoy!