5 Ways To Spice Up Your Bland Pea Soup
Pea soup is a popular dish in many countries, but if you make it too bland, it’s not much better than water.
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Luckily, there are several ways to spice up your pea soup and turn it into something tasty and satisfying, which will be mentioned in this blog post.
What is pea soup?
Pea soup is a traditional soup that has been prepared in northern Europe since the Middle Ages.
The oldest pea soup recipes come from England and Scandinavia, with the earliest written recipe dating back to 1651.
Pea soup is usually made with peas, which are dried green or yellow split peas that have been removed from their pods and split open.
These contain protein, carbohydrates, vitamins A and C, as well as riboflavin, folate, and calcium, among other nutrients, according to the USDA Nutrient Database for Standard Reference 20th Edition.
The ham or bacon adds flavor and saltiness, while cream and broth give this soup a rich and creamy texture and taste.
Why does my pea soup taste bland?
Pea soup is a delicious and healthy way to warm your body from the inside out.
It’s also vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free, depending on what you put into the recipe.
Pea soup is good for you!
However, we cannot say for sure that your pea soup will end up flavorful every time you make it.
That said, there are many reasons why pea soup could end up bland.
For example, you’re using the wrong kind of peas.
If you’re using frozen peas, they may be old and have lost their flavor.
Fresh or frozen is fine, but you should try to use fresh if possible.
Another cause is that you haven’t seasoned it properly, so it lacks flavor from a somewhat spice or herb that makes your soup tasteless.
How do you doctor up bland pea soup?
The good news is that saving a bland pea soup is pretty easy.
Further cooking doesn’t affect the soup’s texture because everything is already tender and mushy.
So here are some common ways to doctor up your tasteless pea soup:
Add salt and pepper
Doctoring up your pea soup with salt and pepper will add flavor without overpowering the taste of the peas or other ingredients in your recipe.
Peas are naturally high in sodium, so they need some help providing that extra kick of flavor! Adding salt and pepper will ensure that your family will never get bored eating this yummy dish!
Add spices and herbs
Adding spices and herbs to your pea soup is the easiest way to make it more flavorful.
A pinch of crushed red pepper flakes will give it some heat, and a pinch or two of paprika will enhance the flavor without adding too much spice.
Some thyme, oregano, cumin—whatever you have on hand that tastes good with peas will work well here.
Add bouillon cubes or paste
If you’re using bouillon cubes, simply drop them directly into your soup and stir.
They’ll dissolve easily, adding a boost of flavor.
However, you can dissolve bouillon cubes in cool water before adding them to your hot soup to prevent lumps.
If you have bouillon paste or powder, it is better to mix it with water until smooth before adding it to your pea soup.
Either chicken or beef bouillon, and the vegan version can work well with your pea soup.
Add more meat
There are many ways to add more meat to your pea soup.
You can add it directly to the soup or add it as a supplement to your broth—whatever works best for you.
Other meat products like ham and bacon can be used from the beginning, but if they are not enough, your pea soup still lacks flavor.
Reduce it
To doctor up a bland pea soup, you might only need to reduce it.
Reducing means cooking down the liquid until no more liquid is left, making the soup thicker and more flavorful.
You can use this method if you want to thicken the broth or if you simply want to add more flavor to your soup.
To save your bland pea soup by reducing it, make sure you have enough time to wait for the soup to thicken.
What tastes good with pea soup?
Pea soup is a great addition to any meal.
It’s easy to make, and you can serve it with various dishes.
Here are some ideas:
- Coleslaw is an easy side dish that goes well with pea soup.
You can make coleslaw from scratch or buy it pre-made from the grocery store.
- Buttered noodles are another delicious option for pairing with pea soup.
You can use egg noodles or spaghetti, depending on your preference and whether you have time to cook them yourself or not!
- Mashed potatoes are also another option for pairing with pea soup — they’re creamy and hearty, so they’ll fill up any hungry people at your table!
Some people prefer russet potatoes over sweet potatoes when making mashed potatoes because they have more starch content (which helps make them fluffier).
Still, it’s really up to personal preference as long as both types of potatoes have been boiled first before using them in this dish.
- Beet salad with goat cheese is a delicious way to add color to your plate, and it tastes great with both pea soup and mashed potatoes!
Conclusion
There you have it!
The best way to doctor up bland pea soup is by adding salt and pepper, spices or herbs, bouillon cubes or paste, more meat, and reducing it.
It is easy not to discard a bowl of bland soup with these tips, so don’t panic if you end up with a tasteless pot of pea soup next time.
