Canned Soup Experiment
So, I was exhausted this weekend. Did get a good casserole made for my boyfriend and I that we ate all weekend. But then Sunday came, my usual day to cook for the week, and I just couldn't do it. So as I was shopping for brushes, paint tray inserts, spray paint, glass scraper, etc. I got the idea to just get several soups for the week, some multi grain crackers, and some cheese. I have fresh basil on the counter, so was hoping to spruce up the soup with fresh herbs. I knew some of the soups would not have much protein, so I bought some pork chopped for stews to cook up and add if needed. Another way to add protein would be to add a dollup of plain greek yogurt. Each can has two servings. So I got 14 meals out of the following. At 1.68/can, that was only about 85 cents/meal. There is a ton of sodium in bought soups, but again, with as little as I eat, I'm not too concerned. But if there is a low-sodium option, I get that and just add my own salt if needed.
The results? Thumbs DOWN on the beef pot roast. I don't mind that it's 'light', whatever that really means. Less fat? Less salt? It has zero seasoning, the meat was tough. Not good. I'm just not a fan of beef pot roast at all; my Mom fixed it occasionally on a Sunday with huge carrots and potatoes, and I just remember it being juicy and tender and almost caramelized. Yes, I dumped ketchup on it; I was a kid and even used ketchup with fish sticks. But this pot roast in this soup? Nope.
Thumbs DOWN. Lentil soup is tricky. This is one I haven't made myself; now I feel like I need to at least try. Lentil soup can taste too earthy, actually like dirt. This one tasted like dirt. And the broth was too thin. I like lentil soup that's almost as thick as chili. My favorite canned lentil soup to date is this from Aldi:
Thumbs DOWN. I do make this one, and I love my version. The broth had no richness here, barely tasted of beef, and the onions were just slimy and translucent, not caramelized. They were too thick. I like mine more thin. And of course, if you don't top with toasted baguette and a creamy white cheese, it's just wrong.
Thumbs UP! Noodles, chicken, and carrots are in perfect proportion, and are the right bite size. Broth is just seasoned enough. Found that I didn't need to add more salt. Good news. Sometimes I added some fresh basil or cilantro to give it a fresh push. Either way, super comforting and satisfying.
Also tasty. Thumbs UP. But I would always go for the previous since it has one more gram of protein.
Thumbs sideways. Not quite creamy enough. But who doesn't want dumplings?!
Thumbs DOWN. Tiny bits of potato and clams. Not chunky enough. If I remember correctly, Chunky soup's version is much better. But after having the real thing on the Oregon Coast (see below) this past summer, I can never do canned again. I'm in Missouri; that's how it goes.
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6 grams protein |
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9 grams protein |
Thumbs DOWN. Lentil soup is tricky. This is one I haven't made myself; now I feel like I need to at least try. Lentil soup can taste too earthy, actually like dirt. This one tasted like dirt. And the broth was too thin. I like lentil soup that's almost as thick as chili. My favorite canned lentil soup to date is this from Aldi:
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2 grams protein |
Thumbs DOWN. I do make this one, and I love my version. The broth had no richness here, barely tasted of beef, and the onions were just slimy and translucent, not caramelized. They were too thick. I like mine more thin. And of course, if you don't top with toasted baguette and a creamy white cheese, it's just wrong.
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5 grams protein |
Thumbs UP! Noodles, chicken, and carrots are in perfect proportion, and are the right bite size. Broth is just seasoned enough. Found that I didn't need to add more salt. Good news. Sometimes I added some fresh basil or cilantro to give it a fresh push. Either way, super comforting and satisfying.
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4 grams protein |
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4 grams protein |
Thumbs sideways. Not quite creamy enough. But who doesn't want dumplings?!
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3 grams protein |
Thumbs DOWN. Tiny bits of potato and clams. Not chunky enough. If I remember correctly, Chunky soup's version is much better. But after having the real thing on the Oregon Coast (see below) this past summer, I can never do canned again. I'm in Missouri; that's how it goes.
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Clam Chowder at Waves restaurant in Waldport, Oregon. Had some at South's Fish Market in Newport, OR. Even better. |
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