A food and flavour expert has shared the ‘secret’ ingredient that can take any soup to the next level and make it taste much better – and it’s not salt or pepper
When the autumn and winter months arrive with cold and dreary weather, few things beat tucking into a steaming bowl of soup.
This filling and versatile dish provides genuine comfort food for so many people on those chilly, dark nights, with an unlimited selection of flavours to explore.
It’s also amongst the simplest dishes to prepare at home, as all that’s required is chopping your ingredients, allowing them to bubble away in a pan for a bit and then dishing up.
If you’ve been practising your soup-making abilities this autumn, you’ll understand that a deep and strong flavour is essential. And according to professionals, there’s one ‘hidden’ ingredient that can elevate any soup to new heights and enhance its taste significantly, reports the Express.
Food and flavour specialist Phil Bianchi from The Gift of Oil has revealed how people can transform the flavour of their soups and achieve the ideal taste that’s certain to wow everyone around the dining table.
And he says the ‘hidden ingredient’ that everyone ought to be aware of can make ‘any’ soup taste considerably more delicious – and it’s neither salt nor pepper.
He explained: “Soup is a versatile dish that the whole family can enjoy, however, there is one secret ingredient that will enhance any soup you’re making – balsamic vinegar.
“Not only can Balsamic vinegar enhance the flavour of your soup, but it also helps to balance out the sweetness of any vegetables too. Simply add a splash of balsamic into the soup whilst it’s cooking and enjoy!” A bottle costs as little as £1.42 from Asda or £1.50 from Tesco.
Similarly, a drizzle of olive oil can also do wonders for boosting the taste of your soups.
After you’ve prepared your soup, this will help to bring out the flavours and improve the overall body and texture of the dish. It doesn’t need to be much, a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil should do.
An extra virgin olive oil that’s rich in polyphenols will not only help to elevate the flavours, but also offers numerous health benefits, such as supporting heart health, brain function and even lifting your mood – ideal for those gloomy winter months.
And if you’ve got any stale bread knocking about, don’t bin it – you can use this to create some tasty croutons that will pair beautifully with your soup.
To do this, rip the bread into pieces and add it to your soup – the bread will absorb moisture from the soup, eliminating any staleness it had before. Alternatively, you can also whizz the bread in with the soup, creating a thicker consistency.
