Best Breads To Pair With Broccoli-Cheese Soup

Broccoli and cheese soup is a hearty, creamy meal that is perfect for cold winter nights. While the soup itself is delicious, it is often served with bread to make it a more filling meal. The best breads to serve with broccoli and cheese soup are those that complement its rich flavour. For instance, a crusty baguette, sourdough, or a dark rye bread like pumpernickel. If you're serving the soup to children, mini bread bowls made from rolls or garlicky hotdog rolls are a great option. For a more indulgent option, you can even serve the soup in a bread bowl.

Bread bowls

Choosing the Right Bread

For a bread bowl, you'll need a large, round loaf of bread, commonly known as a boule. Sourdough or a similar variety is a good choice for its dense and chewy texture, which holds up well to the soup. Look for loaves that are 6 to 7 inches in diameter.

Preparing the Bread Bowl

Start by using a serrated knife to cut off the top of the loaf. Then, carefully scoop out the centre of the loaf with a spoon, leaving about a 1/4-inch thick shell. You can save the removed bread for another use, such as croutons or to dip into the soup. Some people prefer to toast their bread bowl before filling it with soup.

Filling the Bread Bowl

Once your soup is ready, simply ladle it into the prepared bread bowl. Be sure to fill the bowl just before serving to prevent the soup from making the bread too soggy.

Serving Suggestions

Storing and Reheating

If you have any leftover soup, store it separately from the bread bowl in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Bread bowls are best enjoyed fresh, but if you need to reheat your soup, do so on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally.

Customisation

Sourdough

To elevate your soup even further, you can make sourdough croutons. These buttery, crispy croutons add a wonderful texture to the soup and are the perfect way to make your meal a little more special.

So, if you're looking for the perfect bread to accompany your broccoli and cheese soup, look no further than sourdough. Its versatility, flavour, and texture make it an ideal choice to elevate this comforting dish.

Rye bread

When it comes to choosing a bread to serve with broccoli cheese soup, it's a good idea to select one that complements the rich flavour combinations of the soup. A dark rye bread, such as pumpernickel, is an excellent choice, as it pairs well with creamy soups. Rye bread is made with more rye flour than wheat and has a dense texture and a rich, malted molasses flavour. The darker the rye bread, the higher the ratio of rye to wheat.

When serving broccoli cheese soup, you can get creative and serve it in a bread bowl. To make a bread bowl, use a large round loaf of rye bread, cut off the top, and hollow out the centre to make room for the soup. You can save the removed bread for another use, such as croutons. Some people prefer to toast their bread bowl before filling it with soup, adding a crispy texture to the dish.

Whether you prefer your rye bread toasted or not, serving it with broccoli cheese soup is a delicious way to enjoy a hearty and comforting meal.

Baguettes

A crusty baguette is a perfect side to go with broccoli and cheese soup. If you're looking for a more creative way to incorporate baguettes into your meal, you can try making garlic bread croutons, or even a baguette grilled cheese.

If you're feeling adventurous, you can also make a baguette into a bread bowl for your soup. Cut off the top of the baguette and hollow out the inside, leaving a thick shell. You can toast the bread bowl before ladling in the soup, if you prefer a crunchier texture.

Broccoli and cheese soup is a rich, creamy dish, and the airy texture of a baguette makes it an ideal companion. The crunch of the bread pairs well with the smoothness of the soup, and the nuttiness of the baguette complements the cheese.

For an extra special touch, you can brush the baguette with melted butter and sprinkle on some garlic or herbs before serving. This will add another layer of flavour to your meal.

So, if you're looking for a bread to accompany your broccoli and cheese soup, a baguette is an excellent choice. It's versatile, tasty, and will enhance your dining experience.

Croutons

To make croutons, you will need bread, olive oil, and seasonings. Cut the bread into small cubes and toss them with olive oil and your choice of seasonings. Some popular seasonings for croutons include garlic, oregano, chilli flakes, salt, and pepper. You can also add some grated Parmesan cheese to the croutons for an extra cheesy kick.

Spread the seasoned bread cubes on a baking sheet and bake them in the oven until they are golden brown and crispy. Keep an eye on them, as they can go from golden to burnt very quickly. Once they are done, let them cool down and then serve them alongside your soup.

If you want to get creative, you can make your croutons with different types of bread, such as sourdough, rye, or even a baguette. You can also experiment with different shapes and sizes to add some variety to your soup.

Frequently asked questions