Make Your Own Creme Fraiche For Soup Supper Entertaining

Soup is such a great food. It can be nutritious, warming and social. With so many folks watching their budgets, people are eating in more. Having a soup supper with friends is a great way to get together and still stay on track with finances. And adding a dollop of creme fraiche when serving can take an ordinary soup to a taste bud tempting delight.

What is creme fraiche? French for "fresh cream", creme fraiche is a perfect blend of two different tastes. It combines the silken texture of cream with the tartness of sour cream. It simply adds a new dimension to soup. Fat is a flavor enhancer which slides good tastes throughout your palate. Creme fraiche allows you that heady experience without having to eat an entire bowl of fat laden soup. Just a touch of creme fraiche swirled in a bowl of soup will bring a new taste to you!

If you live out in the country like we do, you can't run to the store to buy creme fraiche. In fact, I have never purchased it. I just make my own. Here's how....

Creme Fraiche

1 cup heavy cream (not ultra pasteurized)

1 cup sour cream

• Whisk the heavy cream and sour cream together in a bowl. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let stand on the counter overnight until thickened. In winter weather this may take as long as 24 hours.

• Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours. The creme fraiche should be very thick after this. The tart flavor will keep developing as the creme fraiche sits in the fridge.

• Invite some friends over for soup, salad, bread and wine! Let them bring dessert!