First step in recipe: Throw a party
There’s one at every party, a crudités platter, beautifully cut-up vegetables, arranged in vibrant color swaths, decorated with herbs and little treats. Sometimes, depending on what else is available, it even gets eaten!
Always some left over
However, usually there are lots left over, especially if a large bowl of potato chips happen to be positioned nearby, sharing the herb dip.
The tasty day after
Thus, over the years I have developed my Day After the Party Platter Soup. It’s pretty simple, not really a recipe at all, and the results have been some marvelous and healthful soups along the way. The day after a party of indulgence, this soup is a digestive relief, and it’s become a standard in our house!
Pecking, or rather picking order
March winter is dragging on, today we are in the middle of a Nor’easter!. So, tired of this season, we had a party over the weekend, and put out quite a spread. As predicted, the crudités platter was nibbled on only after the stuffed mushrooms, ginger noodles, and lobster mac and cheese were well sampled. The Bee’s Knees cocktails also kept us quite occupied. Left over were piles of cauliflower, pink winter radishes, radicchio, Belgium endive, rainbow carrots, asparagus spears, and some colorful peppers. Precious produce, but the crab cakes kept many occupied.
From the sidelines to main attraction
The next evening, after a left-overs brunch and little nibbles during the day, the party platter veggies asked me to do something with them since they felt a bit neglected. So I enlisted them into soup service, garnished it with scallions and croutons made from day-old baguettes, and the remains of the creamy horseradish sauce we used for the gleefully consumed shrimp. The sauce really livened up the soup, and I think I’ll remember to use this condiment to top a veggie soup even if I haven’t had a party.
Soupe de Crudités
- 1 to 3 quarts of assorted leftover vegetables depending on how much brie and shrimp were served at the same party
- 1 large onion
- 1 quart or so of stock from the freezer, or just plain water
- Any herbs and spices you like
- A handful of scallions or croutons
- 1 cup or so of yoghurt- or sour-cream based herb dip if you have it
- A bit of milk, cream, or other plant milks
- Creamy horseradish sauce, or tomato-based horseradish sauce (I’d also add some shrimp here, but there usually is none left over)
First, throw a party and at that party have a lovely crudites platter.
Next day, take all the leftover vegetables and place in a large pot along with an onion. if you have any energy left, you can toss all the vegetables on a baking sheet and roast them first. But only if you have the energy and don’t care about yet another dirty another pan.
Add a quart of stock and enough water to cover the vegetables, or use just water. Add whatever spices and herbs you like. For this version, I used 1/2 tsp. cumin, 1/2 tsp. cardamon, 1/2 tsp. cinnamon, and grated a little knob of ginger. Salt and pepper to taste of course.
Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, and let cook until everything is tender.
Remove from the heat and blend or puree any way you like. I used a stick immersion blender. Add a little of something white to make it look and taste creamy, I used skim milk, and I also tossed in the last of the yoghurt based herb dip I had tucked in the refrigerator but didn’t need!
Place in warm bowls and to with homemade croutons or scallions, and a drizzle of horseradish sauce.
Put on some Miles Davis and relax.
Horseradish sauce: Combine 1 pint of low-fat sour cream with 2 heaping tablespoons of prepared horseradish, a tablespoon of ketchup, a teaspoon of white wine vinegar, lots of freshly ground black pepper, and salt to taste. Adjust the horseradish to your own preference. Great on shrimp, fish, or drizzled over vegetable soup!
© Copyright 2023– or current year, The New Vintage Kitchen. Unattributed use of this material is strictly prohibited. Reposting and links may be used, provided that credit is given to The New Vintage Kitchen, with an active link and direction to this original post.
The New Vintage Kitchen does not accept ads or payment for mention of products or businesses.
Supporter of: Slow Food Fair Trade USA Northeast Organic Farmers Association EcoWatch Let’s Save Our Planet No Kid Hungry Hunger Free Vermont Environmental Working Group World Central Kitchen
Hi, Dorothy – I love a recipe that begins with a party – and ends with using up leftovers in a simple and healthy manner. Win-win! Thanks so much for sharing this!
Thank you for your comments! Just about any recipe that starts with a party is going to be good!
Dorothy, I just love EVERYTHING about this post! Thanks for putting a big smile on my face today.
So glad you stopped by! You’ll have to come to the next party!
I would love that…. especially since it sounds like there was dancing!!
Oh yeah!
Clever title and use of leftovers.
Thank you my friend! Every little bit transformed if possible!
I love this post. 😘
Thank you Doc V.! It was a fun party, and a lovely supper the next night.
What a beautiful kitchen, Dorothy, and that table!
You are absolutely right, nothing should be wasted!
I love soups and they are so quick to make.
Thank you, Dorothy, for the vision of heaven!
Joanna
Thanks Joanna! I’ve had kitchens of all sizes and shapes in my life, from small to big now, and this one is my favorite because the light is so wonderful!
What a fantastic, spacious, lovely kitchen!
Thank you Averyl! It only took almost two years to remodel!
This sounds like a great soup, with or without the party pre-runner, Dorothy.
Thank you Robbie!
Dorothy, you’re amazing! What a cook. I want to come to your house. It’s inspiring!
Thank yo so much! We had a great time, and it was fun to have a lot of folks in the space.
This is such a great tasty idea.
The spread looks amazing, as is your kitchen. Lucky guests! 🙂
Thank you Ronit! Most of the kitchen renovations are done finally, although I still have a problem with the hood fan!
Leftovers make the best next meal. A lovely kitchen to cook in makes it all very easy too.hope it was a super party! :))
Thank you Mary, it was so much fun, and there was plenty of space for everyone to mull about and sample the goodies, and dance of course!
What a great idea to use left over veg!
Thanks Marilyn! It’s always a little different depending on the veggies on the platter, but it is always good.
Oh my, the ‘spread’ looks delicious, and the soup made me smile.Talk about taking care of leftovers. 🙂
It’s become quite a routine in our house. My husband, who does much of the cleaning up in the kitchen, knows to just put all the left-over veggies from the platter in a big container for soup the next day!
Great looking soup, perfect for cold weather
It was nice and warming, and we had lots left over for the blizzard that hit us yesterday!
Looks like a super fun party 🎉 And what a great way to use those leftovers! I would have never thought of it! Thanks Dorothy!
Thanks Ribana! We always make this soup after a party, it’s so easy!
what fun! And I love your giant table! Especially full of beautiful food.
Thanks Mimi! I’ve had a large butcher block in my last two houses, but this one is really, really large and very useful as well as pretty. This was our inaugural big party, and everything flowed beautifully!
I feel as though I was standing in the corner dipping chips into the savory creamy mixture when no one was looking. 👀🍃
I thought I saw you out of the corner of my eye…You were right by the brie.
You will always find me by the Brie. 🤣🍃🍷
Ha ha, I love the name of your soup and that step one is Have a party! Very creative! Your kitchen is an entertainers dream!
Thanks Jenna! Yes, the kitchen is mostly done and it works beautifully for both cooking and eating and partying!
That’s quite a spread you have there, so inviting! Love your kitchen!
Thanks Jan! It only took almost two years to remodel!!!!
Brilliant! I’d probably find myself building the crudite specifically for the leftover soup. 😂
Also, I love the party photos. The fact that your guests followed a theme of glitzy beaded tops and dresses with glam headwear is more proof that we are meant to be friends!!
I told everyone to come as their favorite fun decade, and the 20s was certainly on everyone’s minds! They knew I couldn’t resist the excuse to don my tiara!
Fabulous!!
So glad your party was a smash! With food like that and a cool playlist, how can you go wrong? I’m loving this soup recipe, D! It sounds delish, especially with that horseradish zip! A+ for adding a little Miles Davis! 💫 😎
Needed a little Miles after the Go-Gos and Chubby Checker.
Fun idea. Both the party then the soup. Smart thinking
As mommy said, waste not, want not!
This is a perfect post! Always looking as to how to use those leftovers!
Loved seeing you and your kitchen and that amazing spread! Beautiful!
Happy Weekend to you!
Thanks Nancy! It has become rather a routine in our house, there are always leftover veggies!
What a wonderful idea!
Thanks! Necessity, and not wanting to waste!
A great use for leftover veggies! Also, you sound like you throw quite the party! 🥳
People definitely like my parties, and I get to treat them all, and myself!
Love this idea! What a great way to use those leftover veggies! 🙂
It’s pretty handy! Every scrap gets used!
Love the idea for this soup!! The addition of horseradish is very creative!
What an incredible idea! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Julia! It’s one of our fun things to keep our party going for another meal, or two!
I loved the picture of your party spread. It looked so delicious and beautifully presented.
Thank you! It was a bounty, and we all had a great time.
Your soup sounds so yummy Dorothy! I love, love, love that kitchen!
Thank you! It was really tasty.
The kitchen is nearly finished, and I’m pretty pleased with how it turned out!
With all of the cold weather, soup is so nourishing. You have the right ingredients dear friend that hit the perfect warming spots. I would love to learn about some of your kitchen maintenance secrets, as shiny pots, stoves and ovens. I bet you have lots of secrets.
I like to use natural products where possible. Baking soda paste to clean coffee stains in cups, especially travel mugs, is one of my favorites! Fresh lemons to clean copper. Simple things my mom used to do.
There was a demo of a man shining pots with mud (on the internet). Natural is the way to go. I shiny kitchenware. Using commercial products comes with hard work.
And hard environmental consequences.
I hope to try some part of the mud and your suggestions. I don’t expect any hazardous environmental consequences with steaming as an after process. Having an Inn, your knowledge is surely well-rounded in all culinary preparations.
I have to admit, I’m thinking about that mud! We are now firmly in mud season here in Vermont, and I live on a dirt road, so we have plenty of it!
Ha ha ha. The mud already is mixed with some type of red clay. Here you go dear friend.
https://youtu.be/9a0k6iSVVzo
Thank you!! That is truly amazing my friend! I have a back yard if red clay and lots of dirt to practice with.
It hardly looked like he was working!
Love this. Kind of like my clean-out-the-fridge-day soup, but much better!
Thank you! It’s better because, well, there was a party first!
MY COMMENT IS INCORRECT. Weird transpositions are happening. I MEANT TO SAY: “The mud is already mixed with some type of red clay. Here you go dear friend……”
My pots will be forever clean. My fingernails, not so much!
Gloves will protect the hands and save the nails.