Grand Floridian Strawberry Soup is a delightful, chilled dessert soup perfect for warm weather or as an elegant starter. This recipe provides a simple yet luxurious way to enjoy the vibrant flavors and beautiful color of fresh strawberries, making it a truly useful addition to any cook’s repertoire.
Key Ingredients for Grand Floridian Strawberry Soup
- 2 pounds fresh strawberries, hulled and quartered
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar (adjust to your sweetness preference)
- 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Optional garnish: fresh mint sprigs, a swirl of heavy cream or coconut cream, fresh berries
How to Make Grand Floridian Strawberry Soup
This Grand Floridian Strawberry Soup is incredibly easy to prepare, making it a perfect choice for a quick yet impressive dessert or starter. With just a handful of fresh ingredients and minimal steps, you’ll create a dish that’s both refreshingly light and decadently satisfying. Its smooth, creamy texture and bright, sweet flavor will be a hit every time, with a total preparation time of only 15 minutes.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Strawberries: Begin by thoroughly washing your fresh strawberries. Hull them by removing the green leafy tops. Once hulled, quarter the strawberries. If your strawberries are particularly large, you might consider cutting them into smaller pieces.
- Combine Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine the hulled and quartered strawberries, granulated sugar, fresh orange juice, fresh lemon juice, and pure vanilla extract.
- Macerate (Optional but Recommended): For an even more intense strawberry flavor and slightly softer fruit, you can let the mixture sit at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes. This process, called maceration, allows the sugar to draw out the natural juices from the strawberries. Stir the mixture gently halfway through this resting period.
- Blend the Soup: Transfer the strawberry mixture to a blender or food processor. Blend on high speed until the mixture is completely smooth and has a velvety consistency. If you prefer a very silky texture, you can strain the soup through a fine-mesh sieve at this stage to remove any tiny seeds, though this is entirely optional.
- Chill Thoroughly: Pour the blended strawberry soup into a clean bowl or pitcher. Cover it tightly and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or until thoroughly chilled. Chilling is crucial for the soup to develop its refreshing taste and satisfying texture.
- Serve: Once chilled, ladle the Grand Floridian Strawberry Soup into individual bowls or small glasses. Garnish with fresh mint sprigs, a delicate swirl of heavy cream or coconut cream (for a dairy-free option), or a few extra fresh berries, if desired.
Why You’ll Love This Grand Floridian Strawberry Soup
You’ll absolutely adore this Grand Floridian Strawberry Soup for its vibrant, pure strawberry flavor and incredibly smooth, luxurious texture that feels like a special treat. Unlike many desserts that require baking or complex techniques, this no-cook soup is remarkably simple, allowing you to whip up an elegant dish without a lot of fuss, saving you time and money compared to purchasing a similarly gourmet dessert. The bright, naturally sweet taste of strawberries, enhanced by a hint of citrus and vanilla, makes it a refreshing alternative to heavier desserts, comparable to a strawberry panna cotta but with a lighter, more playful form.
This delightful soup is a true testament to how simple ingredients can create something extraordinary, perfect for impressing guests or simply indulging yourself. So, why not skip the store-bought dessert and bring a taste of the Grand Floridian to your kitchen? Give this Grand Floridian Strawberry Soup a try today – your taste buds will thank you!
Storing and Reheating Tips
Leftover Grand Floridian Strawberry Soup can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The flavor is best when consumed within the first couple of days. Because this soup is served chilled, reheating is not applicable. It is designed to be enjoyed cold. If you find the soup thickens slightly in the refrigerator, you can stir in a tablespoon or two of cold water or orange juice before serving to reach your desired consistency. Freezing is generally not recommended for this soup, as the texture can change significantly, becoming icy and less smooth upon thawing. It’s best to make it in smaller batches if you anticipate not finishing it within a few days.
Final Thoughts
This Grand Floridian Strawberry Soup is a beautifully simple yet elegant dessert that truly captures the essence of fresh strawberries. We encourage you to try this easy recipe at home for a refreshing and delightful culinary experience.
Grand Floridian Strawberry Soup
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Begin by thoroughly washing your fresh strawberries. Hull them by removing the green leafy tops. Once hulled, quarter the strawberries. If your strawberries are particularly large, you might consider cutting them into smaller pieces.2 pounds fresh strawberries
- In a medium bowl, combine the hulled and quartered strawberries, granulated sugar, fresh orange juice, fresh lemon juice, and pure vanilla extract.2 pounds fresh strawberries, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1/4 cup fresh orange juice, 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- For an even more intense strawberry flavor and slightly softer fruit, you can let the mixture sit at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes. This process, called maceration, allows the sugar to draw out the natural juices from the strawberries. Stir the mixture gently halfway through this resting period.
- Transfer the strawberry mixture to a blender or food processor. Blend on high speed until the mixture is completely smooth and has a velvety consistency. If you prefer a very silky texture, you can strain the soup through a fine-mesh sieve at this stage to remove any tiny seeds, though this is entirely optional.
- Pour the blended strawberry soup into a clean bowl or pitcher. Cover it tightly and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or until thoroughly chilled. Chilling is crucial for the soup to develop its refreshing taste and satisfying texture.
- Once chilled, ladle the Grand Floridian Strawberry Soup into individual bowls or small glasses. Garnish with fresh mint sprigs, a delicate swirl of heavy cream or coconut cream (for a dairy-free option), or a few extra fresh berries, if desired.fresh mint sprigs, a swirl of heavy cream or coconut cream, fresh berries