I am trying to eat more healthily, and want to start making my own soup. The trouble is, I have a mental block when it comes to making it! Flavours that I think are going to work together don’t, and more often that not, my soups taste too sweet. Help!
Easy Food answer
We’re going to let you in on a little secret. Once you know how, soup-making is one of the easiest, and most calming things to cook. Basic soup encompasses a simple vegetable mixture – onions, celery, root vegetables – and stock. Sweat your onions and garlic off in a knob of butter until soft, then add your root vegetables and cook for a minute or two. Cover with stock (chicken or veg, from a cube is fine) and cook for 10-15 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.
Now, when it comes to flavour combinations, we like to be inspired by soups from around the globe; adding pasta to bulk out thinner soups, spices to add depth and meat to turn soups into a meal. Remember to temper your flavours, so if you have sweet vegetables like carrot, parsnip or butternut squash, add chilli or curry powder to cut through the sweetness. Try lots of combinations; some will work and some won’t, but once you find what works for you, you won’t go wrong.
Still stuck for inspiration?
Fry curry paste and vegetables with a mixture of stock and water and flavour with a splash of fish sauce.
Simmer lentils with thyme and root veg for a hearty mid-week supper.
Use beans to bulk up a broth made from tomatoes, garlic and herbs.
