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Questions tagged [soup]

A soup is a dish obtaining most of its flavor from a liquid created by extracting flavor from solids such as meat and vegetables.

Soup- or broth-making is a slow, moist-heat method extracting into liquid flavor from solids (typically proteins and vegetables). The resulting flavorful liquid may be served with the solids the flavor was extracted from (possible puréed), fresh solids may be added, or in some cases, there may be no solids at all. In any case, the intent is for the liquid to be the primary flavor component.

This contrasts with stew, where the solids are the primary flavor component. For details on the differences, refer to the question, Difference between soup and stew.

Related:

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When turning instant soup into liquid soup, how can I optimise dissolution?

At work, when I'm hungry, I sometimes resort to instant soup (Royco, in case it's relevant). Simple to make: heat water, put package content into cup, pour water into cup, stir. However, I often find that the powdered soup has a bunch of wet powder…
Nzall
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Why put a stone in the soup?

I was surprised by the added stone in the soup of this question: "Also, for irony, a large (cleaned) stone is always left in the pot" What would be the reason for this? For the minerals in the stone? As far as I know, minerals do not infuse water…
BaffledCook
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Is there a way to handmake alphabet pasta?

Is there a way to handmake alphabet pasta? I want to make the small pasta the is shaped into letters that is sometimes used for alphabet soup for kids. It's usually about half a cm in length. And I cannot imagine that if I cut letters out they will…
Lavandysh
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Matza balls 'explode' at high altitude

We now live in the mountains at 8,500’ (2600 m) and I cannot make matza balls for chicken soup up here. They explode into dust in boiling water. Water boils at 190 F (88 °C) here, that's probably a factor. I’ve even tried freezing the balls before…
Bubba
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How do I get the best possible texture when making vegetable cream soups?

Many recipes call for straining the almost finished soup to get rid of any extra chunky bits and get the best mouthfeel. But I am really confused, because with any reasonably fine sieve I filter out almost all of the vegetable matter and end up with…
VoY
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Why did my chowder turn out watery?

I made sausage and corn chowder the other day. I added both corn starch and Knorr's instant leek soup as thickeners. It simmered over the stove for 25 mins. I thought it may have been too thick, but I resisted the urge to add any more liquids. I let…
Chi Leung
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What is a "soup chicken"

How is "soup chicken" different from "cooking chicken". Is it a different breed or just old chicken? Can I eat its meat? I have always made soup from the bones of boneless chicken I cook. Today I got a chicken specifically for soup, whose packing…
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How can I stop my soups sticking to the bottom of the pot?

I like cooking soups, however often as not the lentils or oats stick to the bottom of the pot and start to burn. I like cooking my soups over several hours in a large pot. How can I avoid this?
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How do I keep soup from being bland?

I've been experimenting with soups recently and trying different recipes, and I've found that I often come out with a good soup that's a bit too bland in taste. And yes, salt and pepper makes a huge difference... but it needs something else. Beyond…
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Why does roasting vegetables before pureeing into soup affect the flavour?

Last night I made a butternut squash soup. The recipe said to roast some squash and onion for 45 mins before boiling with stock for 15 and then pureeing. Is anyone able to explain (in moderate depth) what the roasting stage does? For example, how…
AlexC
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How long could a meat-based broth be held safely near 180F/82C?

This question is the flip-side of the commonly asked food temperature safety concerns. I'd like to know, if a meat-based soup stock (chicken/pork/beef/etc) were to be held constantly at a safe hot temperature of 165F/73C-180F/82C, how long could it…
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What is the best culinary practice surrounding the water used to soak beans, pulses and rice?

Both my mother and grandmother, both now long passed away, would be horrified if when soaking beans, pulses, barley, lentils or rice etc. overnight for a soup or stew, the soaking liquid was used in the dish itself. My guess is that in their eyes,…
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Why did my chicken soup go cloudy?

I made chicken soup tonight in my usual way - recipe is chicken flash fried, then onion, ginger, garlic added, then stock or water, then lid on and cook. Coriander added later. Usually, I end up with a mostly clear soup, lots of floating bits…
KimbaF
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Can you freeze soup?

I am planning on making soup with my leftover turkey frame. I was just wondering if it is possible to freeze the soup and have it taste good when it is thawed. I am guessing it should be fine as long there aren't any noodles in the soup. Other than…
Kyra
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Why heat soup in a blender?

Several times lately I have seen people recommend a particular brand of (very expensive) high powered blender. Each time one of the main selling points for them is that the blender is so powerful that you can heat pureed soup in it. Why would a…
Sobachatina
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