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what can I add to my vegetable soup to liven it up?

39 replies

bananacarnival · 17/12/2014 13:00

It's the only way I can eat vegetables. Fry onion, add vegetables and unfortunately I don't like the taste of Swiss Bouillon powder, although that's what I'm using.

Other stock cubes seem to have a lot of additives which defeats the object when I'm trying to be healthy with one meal.

Any suggestions?
I'm not a natural cook, pretty useless in the kitchen!
Thanks

OP posts:
ArchangelGallic · 17/12/2014 13:02

Fry the onions in chilli oil.
Add herbs.
Add curry powder.

Get the Covent Garden soup book. Lots of lovely recipes and mostly very easy.

NewLeafExpat · 17/12/2014 13:11

If the base is vegetable but you aren't vegetarian then add bacon. The smokey flavour will be the winner mmm mmmm

NewLeafExpat · 17/12/2014 13:12

Or coriander with some coconut milk for a creamier/richer soup?

Theas18 · 17/12/2014 13:13

Best ever (if you aren't veggie) is a sliced and frizzled chorizo ( and the oil that it makes.

Almost always stary bu veg sups with a dollop of patak curry past when frying the veg up to start it off though. Always good

TakeawayInAManger · 17/12/2014 13:13

Tabasco sauce - either original or the chipotle one (which is still spicy, but less so)

I've not tried this, but just a thought - marmite??

exexpat · 17/12/2014 13:15

Fry some curry powder in with the onions etc at the start, and also a few chunks of root ginger. Works very well with root veg or butternut squash. Blend it all together at the end, and add plain yoghurt or coconut milk if you like.

oswellkettleblack · 17/12/2014 13:15

Kallo Organic cubes don't have a lot of additives. Add a chopped chilli and two cloves of minced garlic

mynameisred · 17/12/2014 13:23

Marmite, or miso paste if you are feeling a bit more adventorous, will add taste to the soup and can be added right at the end.

I also make sesame salt to sprinkle on top of the soup, a very tasty alternative to salt.

dalekanium · 17/12/2014 13:27

Chilli

Garlic

Worcestershire sauce

Marmite

Fried mustard seeds

Curry paste/ power

Soy sauce or nam pla

Are all my go to for livening up soup

TinklyLittleLaugh · 17/12/2014 15:40

I think a soup is only as good as the stock you use. Cubes and the like taste horrid to me. Proper stock is the only way to go.

butterfliesinmytummy · 17/12/2014 15:42

Fry Thai curry paste with your onion before adding veg and stock. Finish with coconut milk. You won't taste the veggies!

bananacarnival · 17/12/2014 18:41

Brilliant! I'm making a large pot every week so I can try out various suggestions week by week.

I take my hat off to anyone who understands food, I certainly don't!

OP posts:
RojaGato · 17/12/2014 19:39

Smoked paprika
small cube sof potato fried til crispy (like mini croutons)

DustBunnyFarmer · 17/12/2014 19:41

what can I add to my vegetable soup to liven it up?

Ham.

bananacarnival · 17/12/2014 21:07

Thanks again. I've got more than half the stuff lying about, never occurs to me to use it if it's not part of a recipe I'm following.

OP posts:
Comito · 17/12/2014 21:13

Another vote for Kallo Organic cubes. They have less salt than normal ones too. Also add lots of herbs - thyme is good for veg soup., and a dash of cumin.

You could also fry the onions and garlic off at the start with some smoked paprika. Not too much otherwise it'll be overpowering but maybe half a teaspoon?

SingingSands · 17/12/2014 21:15

Chicken stock, never veg. Unless you're a veggie. Blush

tethersend · 17/12/2014 21:16

Sprinkle in some Stilton.

TheCowThatLaughs · 17/12/2014 21:17

I use about half of the recommended quantity of stock powder or cubes when making stock for soup and it means the soup doesn't have that telltale taste.

DustBunnyFarmer · 17/12/2014 21:39

Dried porcini mushrooms, rehydrated with boiled water, make a really oomphy stock and massively increase the umami of anything you put them in. We use them in mushroom risotto for the same reason.

Wellwellwell3holesintheground · 17/12/2014 22:01

Toasted seeds eg pumpkin to serve. Yum.

Mrsstevejones · 17/12/2014 22:17

Add coriander pesto -i found the recipe on here and its amazing but then i love coriander! I freeze it and use one ice cube per bowl.

321zerobaby · 17/12/2014 22:27

Fresh ginger.

GreenMouse · 17/12/2014 22:51

Keep the rinds of cheese like parmesan and put them in your soup. Take the rind of before eating the soup though!

Marcipex · 17/12/2014 22:56

Chicken stock and Parmesan.

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