BASIC CREAM SOUP: Pumpernickel croutons Basic cream soup recipe Peel the vegetable, if necessary, and chop coarsely. Place in a saucepan with 3 cups of the stock. Cook over medium heat until the vegetable is tender. Set aside half cup choice pieces of cooked vegetables to use as a garnish. Puree the remaining cooked vegetable together with the vegetable water in an electric blender, or press through a strainer. Melt the butter in a soup kettle, blend in the flour, and stir in the cream. Simmer over a low flame, stirring constantly for 3 minutes. Stir in the pureed vegetable and the remaining 2 cups of chicken stock, and simmer for 3 minutes more. Adjust the seasonings and serve in individual bowls garnished with the reserved cooked vegetable. Serve hot or cold. Cream of Cauliflower Soup: Prepare soup as directed in Basic cream soup. Garnish with reserved cauliflower and a sprinkle of paprika. Serve hot or cold. Cream Of Broccoli Soup: Peel the stems and break broccoli into flowerets. Slice the stems. Proceed as directed in Basic cream soup recipe. Serve with nutmeg sprinkled on top. Cream Of Cucumber Soup: Reserve half cup diced raw cucumber to use as a garnish. Cook remaining cucumber for 8 minutes. Proceed as directed in Basic cream soup recipe. Serve hot or cold with a dollop of sour cream in the center of each bowl. Cream Of Lima Bean Soup: Prepare soup as directed in Basic cream soup recipe but do not reserve any lima beans. Serve hot, garnished with crumbled bacon. Cream Of Spinach Soup: Prepare soup as directed in basic cream soup recipe, but do not reserve any spinach. Serve hot or cold, garnished with hard-cooked egg yolks forced through a fine sieve. Cream Of Asparagus Soup: Prepare soup as directed in basic cream soup recipe. Garnish with reserved asparagus tips and Pumpernickel croutons. Serve hot or cold.