Keeping raw soup warm without cooking`

[Soose]

We have a Vegan potluck in a couple of weeks. I told them I'd bring a veggie/zucchini hummus plate and a corn chowder. Did not tell them I was bringing RAW corn chowder, lol. But this soup is always liked by our non-raw friends and even SAD friends we've had try it, and is so easy to make, so I figure it's a good bet to please the crowd, and the simplicity fits my schedule that day.

I'd really like to get there and make several batches about 3 to 4 hrs ahead and keep it warm somehow while we're all occupied at the event. I don't want to be making it while they are serving themselves. (I don't even really want them to know it's raw until they come asking for the recipe.)

I have a large crockpot. Will that cook it if I transfer it into that after blending, and leave it on "keep warm" for that long? If so, any other ideas?

[katchmoleen]

My experience with my large crockpot and enough chili to feed 8 people was that it took 2 hours to get to 100 degrees on the "warm" setting. So I would say plug in the crockpot two hours before the meal and then test the temperature when it is time to eat. You also need to stir it now and then as it gets hotter on the bottom.

[Soose]

Thank you so much, Katchmoleen! Exactly the help I needed. I had not thought of measuring the temperature once in the crock, so silly of me! I can check it every now and then, stir, and make sure it doesn't overheat.

Such a relief not to worry, I'll be much more comfy taking raw foods and keeping them warm from now on. I can't always be the one who brings just salads, and many of our foods are too pricey for a huge crowd. Honestly, the last time we were faced with this obligation of a potluck with SAD people, I just made a Vegan chili, not raw for them. They liked it and keep asking for a recipe but I did not feel great about it. Plus I found myself thinking of cooking it for my family over the next few weeks. Tempting.

So happy to be able to manage this better! Both at potlucks and for delayed meals at home. (Well, we can just run the blender to warm the soups but when there's a crowd, it would be nice to have an option and make several batches ahead. Plus, you should see the faces of guests when we pour their soup right out of the blender! <G> And some of the picky ones then have turned up noses without tasting.)

[katchmoleen]

Glad to help! I have a large family and also do the potluck thing fairly often, so this is something I have worked with.

[Aleesha Sattva]

thanks katch... i never thought of that!

[revdrcyn]

It is wonderful to be able to warm a Raw soup - however, you do want to keep an eye on the temperature.

I have a large crock pot that only takes 20 minutes on warm to heat up to 100 degrees. At 30 minutes, the temp reaches 117 - still under 118, but I prefer a max of 105. After 40 minutes, my "warm" setting can heat as high as 144 degrees.

So, here's what I do - put my soup in the crock pot and set a timer for 20 minutes - then I check the temp - if it is around 100 degrees, I turn the power off for 10 to 15 minutes, then back on, etc.

Am i compulsive? To me it's worth it cuz there are some amazing Raw soups that are out of this world when warmed (like Matt Amsden's onion soup OMG!)