Entice diners with dishes that warm the soul and excite the senses.
Soups and chilis offer year-round comfort, but take centre stage during colder months. Research reveals what chefs inherently know—diners demand an extraordinary experience at restaurants. According to Technomic's 2009 Soup Consumer Trend Report, when folks dine out, they seek soups that they don't eat at home: 60% of women and 48% of men surveyed said they are more likely to order a soup at a restaurant if it is different than one they make at home or buy at the grocery store. Our chefs at the Kraft Culinary Centre offer soup solutions that lure diners with extraordinary flavour. Ethnic flair? They've thought of that, too. "Soup garnishes can really help move your soups into different flavour profiles—while keeping the soup itself pretty straightforward," says Aliza Katz, senior corporate chef for Kraft Foodservice.
Behind the Recipes: Soups
Roasted Red Pepper Bisque with Shrimp Garnish
Our chefs make this winter classic luxurious by stirring in a blend of Philadelphia Cream Cheese and flour, then finishing with whipped cream. "Philly is a great thickening agent for a soup," says Freeman Moser III, senior executive chef at Kraft Foodservice. "It brings in a luscious texture and adds a bit of depth."
Cracker pairing—Premium Plus Soda Crackers Salted
Ethnic garnishes—move it toward an Asian profile with ginger-coconut shrimp, green onion and toasted sesame seeds
Roasted Sweet Potato and Garlic Soup
This soup warms the spirit with the sweet, multi-layered notes of roasted sweet potatoes, onion and garlic. Philadelphia Cream Cheese adds both decadent mouthfeel and depth of flavour.
Cracker pairing—Christie Ritz Crackers
Ethnic garnishes—add chipotle and sour cream for a Southwestern finish
Rustic Potato-Leek Soup
Our chefs deepen this classic winter-warming soup with a creamy infusion of Philadelphia Light Cream Cheese Spread. They also build flavour by roasting the potato and leeks and brushing the vegetables with Kraft Calorie-Wise Zesty Italian Dressing.
Cracker pairing—Premium Plus Soda Crackers Salted
Ethnic garnishes—make it Mediterranean with a finish of fried leeks and sun-dried tomato
Spicy Thai Squash Soup
Red-curry paste and Kraft Signature Oriental Sesame Dressing add Asian accents to this butternut squash soup. Philly keeps it rich and fulfilling.
Cracker pairing—Christie Ritz Crackers
Ethnic garnishes—add more Asian flair with fried shallots and fresh cilantro
Behind the Recipes: Chilis
Bull's-Eye BBQ and Chili Cheese Pot
Our chefs elevate ground beef to hearty chili with Mexican chili spice, steak spice and Bull's-Eye Bold Original Barbecue Sauce. Kraft Shredded Cheddar/Monterey Jack Blend Cheese crowns the dish with a bubbling, cheesy crust.
Barbecue Chicken Chili with Mixed Beans
Our chefs serve up the best of Southwest flavours in this hearty, delicious chili. Here, the surprise is ground chicken instead of beef. "The ground chicken offers a blank palette, which we infuse with barbecue's great profile," says Kira Smith, corporate chef at Kraft Foodservice. Bull's-Eye Bold Original Barbecue Sauce adds intense flavour with a background of thick molasses. Cumin, chili powder and crushed red pepper add spice and heat.
Barbecue Bacon Chili
According to Technomic's 2009 Soup Consumer Trend Report, 71% of consumers polled said they would be very likely to order chili with beef, leading it to the third most preferred soup overall. They add bacon for smokiness, ground beef and kidney beans for heartiness. Our chefs rely on Kraft Regular BarBQ Sauce for its balanced, flavourful profile.
68% of customers prefer a rotating soup-of-the-day menu that includes at least one traditional and one unique or ethnic option.¹
Top 3 Soups:² Potato—74% | Chili with Beef—71% | Chicken Noodle—71%
For our comprehensive Soup and Cracker Pairing Guide, click here.
Plus, for more information on our full cracker SKU listing click here.
¹ Technomic's 2009 Soup Consumer Trend Report
² Technomic's 2009 Soup Consumer Trend Report