* Item: Imagine Garden Vegetable Soups

* What you get: 4 servings

* Cost: About $2.50

* Preparation time: Just enough time to warm

* Review: These gourmet soups have a lot going for them. They're vegetarian, certified kosher and nondairy -- great news for lactose-intolerant people who thought they'd have to swear off cream soups for life. And for the most part, the flavor matches the billing. The Creamy Tomato ranks among the most delicious I've ever tasted, and the Creamy Butternut Squash was as sweet and fragrant as a dessert. Unfortunately, the Creamy Potato Leek didn't quite measure up. Overpowered by the leeks, it had the consistency of watery mashed potatoes. Other flavors include Creamy Sweet Corn, Creamy Broccoli and Gazpacho. They're available at area natural and health foods stores.

Pub Date: 05/05/99