As the autumn and winter seasons bring chilly, dreary weather, there’s nothing quite as satisfying as a warm bowl of soup. This staple comfort food is a favourite for many during the long, dark nights, offering a huge array of flavours.
Soup is also incredibly simple to whip up at home; often it’s just a matter of chopping ingredients, letting them simmer, and then serving. For those who have been honing their soup-making craft this season, achieving a deep, rich flavour is crucial.
To make this easier, an expert has revealed a ‘secret’ ingredient that can elevate any soup, enhancing its taste significantly.
Phil Bianchi, a food and flavour expert from The Gift of Oil, has disclosed the key to transforming your soup into an impressive dish that will wow everyone at the dinner table.
Surprisingly, the ‘secret ingredient’ isn’t salt or pepper, but something else entirely. He said: “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 £1.50 from Asda or Tesco. In the same vein, a drizzle of olive oil can also work wonders for improving the flavour of your soups, reports the Express.
Once you’ve made your soup, this will help to enhance the flavours and the overall body and texture of the dish. It doesn’t have to be a lot, a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil should do the trick..
An extra virgin olive oil that’s packed with polyphenols, will not only help to enhance the flavours, but also has plenty of health benefits too, such as heart health, brain health and even boosts your mood – perfect for those dark winter months.
And if you’ve got any stale bread lying around, don’t throw it out – you can use this to make some delicious croutons that will complement your soup perfectly.
To do this, tear the bread into chunks and add it to your soup – the bread will rehydrate in the soup, losing any staleness it previously had. Alternatively, you can also blend the bread in with soup, giving it a thicker texture.