Vegetable soup with pasta and Judge soupmaker review
SOUP.
Are you rolling your eyes right now or are you one of those people who could have soup any day of the week?
I grew up on minestrone and "minestra" (or soup). My mum would make it almost daily during the winter months. The reassuring and distinctive noise of her old pressure cooker clearly indicated that soup was on its way. I used to love the smell which would spread all around the house. She was so creative and would use different crispy freshly picked veggies from the field often with fresh beans and barley too. I can tell you, that was heaven.
You see that's the cheeky way an Italian mamma can make you eternally dependent on her, you will hopelessly crave for that food for the rest of your days.
For hubby it was different. He didn't grow up on soups, for him there was more of the traditional meat, potatoes and two veg.
When we first started living together we got on about everything but we always clashed when it came to food. I knew I had to work my "way up", I needed to conquer his tastebuds in order to live together peacefully. I tell you that was no easy task.
For someone whose lunch used to be a shop bought sandwich with mayo, bag of crisps, a mars bar and a can of coke, switching to soups, pasta and lots of veg was a shock to the system. In my view crisps cannot possibly be part of a meal. They might be OK to go with your wine as an aperitif or at children's birthday parties but for lunch?! You want something better than that, don't you?
Eventually I succeeded, possibly through exasperation at first, he just gave up. Italian wives can be (not saying they all are!) bossy "at times" but after a few months of putting up with soups he eventually embraced them and today I am so pleased to say that he is now looking forward to a large steaming bowl.
I do my best to create a variety of minestre: I often add a Parmesan crust to give it extra flavour (just like stock). I buy organic fresh vegetables, I add beans to it and I add different things all the time like barley, spelt, pasta or rice and hey, yes soup is good!
Today I have made it again but in a different way. I have used a soupmaker for the first time ever. I actually asked to review one as I always wondered whether it would speed things up. So today I am introducing you to Judge Electric Soup Maker.
As you can see it resembles an ordinary blender but it is multitasking as it can also make smoothies, boil eggs and make hot drinks such as hot chocolate.
- Prep Time : 10 minutes
- Cook Time : 20 minutes
Ingredients
- potatoes - 2
- carrots - 2
- fresh spinach - handful
- celery stick - 1
- zucchini - 2
- onion - 1
- vegetable stock cube - 1
- salt and pepper
- olive oil
- grated Parmesan cheese
- pasta short cut - 240 g - 2 +3/8 cup
Instructions
Peel the potatoes and wash the vegetables then cut them into small cubes. Add them to the jug with the stock cube, salt and pepper and add water until it reaches the minimum mark. This will make enough soup for 4 people.
Without the soupmaker: put everything in a pot and cover up all the vegetables with cold water + salt and pepper (about 1.5 Liters or 1.58 qt of water). Bring to the boil and cook for about 30 minutes the whiz with a blender.
Press the button "smooth soup" and your soup ingredients get chopped, whizzed up and cooked in only 20 minutes. The beep will sound when your soup is ready.
Now add the pasta and press the "boiling steam" to cook it for about 10 minutes or according to packet instructions. As the machine is very sensitive you might need to wipe the handles off if they get dirty in order to switch it back on.
Without the soupmaker: add the pasta to the pot and cook for 10 minutes or according to packet instructions. Stir from time to time.
Finally add 2 tbsp of olive oil, 2 tbsp of grated Parmesan cheese and press "pulse" to stir it.
Without the soupmaker: add oil and Parmesan cheese to the pot and stir well.
Your soup is now ready! If you make it in advance you can reheat it with the "reheat" function.
Another interesting function is boiling eggs.
The soupmaker comes with a small basket that holds up to 4 eggs. You add the water as indicated and in 6 minutes you get soft boiled eggs or 10 minutes for hard boiled. The eggs won't crack!
Obviously this depends on your taste. My children love soft boiled eggs and I found that for runny eggs 4 minutes will be enough.
Perfectly cooked! I have served them with a little olive oil, a drizzle of vinegar, salt and pepper. I often serve them after the soup with some rustic bread. This is a healthy and delicious dinner!
Verdict:
Pros:
- Easy to use
- It's multifunction: makes smoothies, hot drinks as well as different types of soups.
- It has handy reheat function
- The feet grip to the work surface very well so when in action the machine won't rock
Cons:
- you cannot immerse the jug in water due to the electrical parts so to clean it you need to add a drop of washing liquid and little warm water and use the "pulse" function. There is a brush supplied to help with the cleaning around the blades.
- You cannot cook meat with it
I was sent a Judge soupmaker to review. All opinions are my own.
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I love soups cara!
This look delicious!!!!
xoxoxo
Baci
Grazie Gloria.
In questo periodo di freddo le zuppe sono un vero toccasana, riscaldano e sono buonissime! Ottima la tua minestra! La tua preparazione nel frullatore è molto interessante! Un abbraccio!
My husband doesn’t like soup and I can eat soup every day, even in the hottest summer days. Your veggie pasta soup looks delicious and satisfying.
Thanks Angie.
Dear Alida,
I can’t believe that this Judge Soup maker does it all! Awesome, makes cleaning up easier and it is all done before you know it. Who knew that this was around. just purchased myself a food processor. Always had a blender, but mine bit the dust…this is a great tool to have. I love your vegetable soup with the pasta. Looks so comforting. Have to try this one… Thanks for sharing.. Ciao dear friend…
Dottie 🙂
What a nifty gadget! This soup sounds amazing, perfect for a chilly day.
Once autumn arrives you must have a bowl of hot soup to warm you up and make you smile – every day if need be. I also made a minestrone a few days ago, they really are a complete meal in themselves so perfect for dinner in the evening.
You are right, minestrone is such a complete and filling meal. Good of you to make such good soups, your family is really lucky!
I love soup with pasta in it! It always takes me straight back to childhood.
Your soup sounds so healthy and delicious!
Thanks Kate x
Absolutely essential for this time of year! Hearty warming soup with pasta to fill you up and warm your tummy. This means you put exactly what you like in it. Souper! Daximama+Dog
Thank you Julie, we are having lots of soups at the moment, it is so chilly outside!