How I Upgraded my Chicken Soup with One Secret Ingredient

have been cooking chicken soup for decades now but little did I know that one particular ingredient would be a critical upgrade. Aside from my chicken soup, this ingredient has also proven to be great for chicken noodles and other chicken recipes. Chicken soup has remained my family’s go-to when we are under the weather or having a restful night. Though, I am not a professional chef, adding this new ingredient makes me look like one.

Why I Started Adding Turmeric to My Soups

Yes, my secret ingredient is turmeric and I have realized that it is one ingredient to add some earthy, peppery, and musky flavor to any soup. It is one ingredient that does not overpower the dish but makes it delightfully tasteful. Turmeric also adds a gorgeous golden hue that most chicken soup lovers like to see. These amazing ingredients also add to the smell and taste of the soup. Do not forget that turmeric is nutrient-dense, hence it can boost your health in so many ways.

How I Use Turmeric to Upgrade My Cooking

If my idea has generated interest in you, here are some useful tips to help you get the most out of my secret ingredient.

1. Bloom the Turmeric

Blooming your turmeric is an essential procedure where you heat the spice to release its essential oils. This will bring out its full flavor. It’s perfectly okay to add veggies like carrots, or celery to the hot broth when blooming your turmeric but make sure they are sautéed separately before stirring in your turmeric and then allow the mix to cook for about 2 minutes before adding the broth to your pot. Be careful to avoid over-blooming and rendering the spice less effective. You should limit the blooming time to a minute if necessary.

2. Do Not Add Too Much Turmeric

A little turmeric should be enough but adding too much can turn the rich flavor into something bitter. You should start slow by adding a teaspoon of ground turmeric or a tablespoon of freshly ground turmeric root. You may choose to start with half of this amount if you want to exercise more caution. Taste your food occasionally and add a little extra of this ingredient if necessary.

The amount of turmeric you add should also depend on how much water and other liquids you are adding to the recipe. Water quickly dilutes turmeric, hence the need to create a balance to avoid a watery chicken soup.

3. Add the Turmeric to Your Homemade Broth

Sometimes, I like to incorporate turmeric into my homemade broth that I use for chicken soup. If you are creating a recipe that will produce up to 10 cups of broth for instance, you should add up to ¾ teaspoon of turmeric to add some vibrant color and subtle flavor.

Remember, you should avoid adding more than 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder to your broth at a time to avoid bitter taste and extreme coloration. You surely want to feel the taste of your chicken and other ingredients too, hence the need to exercise caution when adding the ingredient.

Final Note

As mentioned earlier, the addition of turmeric to your recipe should be done with caution since the spice can change the taste, texture and color of your recipe quickly. Adding the substance in smaller bits can help you control its overall effect. You should consider limiting turmeric first before diluting your recipe with water. Have someone else to taste your chicken soup to understand how it tastes and then make appropriate adjustment when necessary.