Soup is a great go-to option for a quick, healthy lunch. Homemade is always your best option, but many store bought varieties contain plenty of healthy vegetables, protein and fiber. If you find yourself getting a little bored of your old favorites, why not add a simple yet tasty topping to add crunch, flavor and even more nutrition to your lunch? Check out these three simple options, each of which pairs well with a variety of vegetable and meat soup recipes.
Grilled Cheese
A grilled cheese topping goes exceptionally well with a squash or tomato based soup. Simply allow five minutes before your soup is ready to heat a pan, slice the cheese and grill it under it is well done on both sides. Add a few slices to each bowl of soup and enjoy!
Toasted Seeds
There are many ways to make your own toasted seeds at home, although you can also opt for store bought. Simply take a mixed selection of seeds and add to a pan with a little oil. Add salt, pepper and any other seasonings you may wish to add, and then stir well until the seeds have darkened in color. Remove from the heat and store in a sealed container until you’re ready to use them – these pair well with every vegetable soup you can imagine.
Croutons
These small cubes of fried bread are incredibly tasty, and offer a great way to use up bread that’s too otherwise too dry to eat. Cube the bread into pieces, and then heat a little olive oil in a pan. Add the bread and keep stirring until the cubes become crispy. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, and then remove from the pan. These croutons pair great with chicken, tomato and fish soups.
