Vegans? Vegetarians?

[nycfem]

Hello, vegheads, I've been making this soup for BB and me that we both like but is just coming out too bland! I wanted to tell you the ingredients and see if you might have a suggestion as to how I could somehow make it less bland. I use low-sodium vegetable broth, low-sodium soy sauce, peanut butter, chopped ginger, chopped vegetables, and curry powder. Any thoughts?

[Greco]

Jen,

I also use the low-sodium veg broth in making soup, but do use some
pink Himalayan salt ten mins before it's done to bring out the flavor of
the veggies...not a lot but depending how much I'm making...a little goes
a long way for flavor, especially because my salt intake is nil with anything else.

Is the peanut butter your using also salt-free?

keeping it veggie/vegan, Greco

Originally Posted by nycfem

Hello, vegheads, I've been making this soup for BB and me that we both like but is just coming out too bland! I wanted to tell you the ingredients and see if you might have a suggestion as to how I could somehow make it less bland. I use low-sodium vegetable broth, low-sodium soy sauce, peanut butter, chopped ginger, chopped vegetables, and curry powder. Any thoughts?

[kittygrrl]

Originally Posted by nycfem

Hello, vegheads, I've been making this soup for BB and me that we both like but is just coming out too bland! I wanted to tell you the ingredients and see if you might have a suggestion as to how I could somehow make it less bland. I use low-sodium vegetable broth, low-sodium soy sauce, peanut butter, chopped ginger, chopped vegetables, and curry powder. Any thoughts?

Hi nyc! You might try to add: low-fat coconut milk, garlic, vegan fish sauce, sesame oil, fresh finely chopped cilantro, (a) fresh serrano chili pepper/red pepper flakes, lime juice, (maybe) a bit of rice vinegar..i've done various combinations and added a side of roasted or stir fried cauliflower .. (turned out) amazing

note: i forgot to mention Thai Basil leaves!!! These are really wonderful!

[nycfem]

Thanks, I'm definitely going to try out these ideas. Very helpful!

[nycfem]

BB says the broth is pretty good but that the vegetables taste kind of bland. I just put the veggies in raw. Should I cook them first? If so, any recommendations as to how?

[Greco]

Slow- sauté of veggies with the herbs/garlic that kittygrrl gave is good. I usually sauté them for about 3mins for green leafy, and 3-5 for cruciferous like broccoli, kale. Then throw them in with the root veggies, works for me! See Now I'm hungry...smiling.

Greco

Originally Posted by nycfem

BB says the broth is pretty good but that the vegetables taste kind of bland. I just put the veggies in raw. Should I cook them first? If so, any recommendations as to how?

[PlatinumPearl]

I went Vegan for 1 year and found that extremely difficult the first couple of months after it was ok but I felt so extreme. Being Vegan and dating was difficult to do the waiters always gave me strange looks and didn't like that I asked so many questions.

I then went Vegetarian and then to eating meat every so often. My body doesn't need meat but I do like honey and the medicinal benefits of honey and I also like to use it as a sweetener. The other alternatives do not work in my best interest.

I have thought about a raw diet but this isn't as appealing to do in winter months and best to do in the summer when there are more choices for seasonal and locally grown produce.

[Gemme]

Originally Posted by nycfem

BB says the broth is pretty good but that the vegetables taste kind of bland. I just put the veggies in raw. Should I cook them first? If so, any recommendations as to how?

I asked the professional and He said as far as the veggies go, add a little olive oil and roast them before adding them. You could also try switching up the veggies you use for a new flavor profile. Also, He suggested a 'bugano de garne' (not how it's spelled, I'm sure, but in the ballpark as to how it's pronounced). Basically, get a bunch of herbs and spices and put them in cheesecloth and tie it closed. Let it steep in the broth and remove it before serving. You can use the no sodium salt by Morton (neither of Us could remember what it's really called) or red pepper flakes or whatever floats your boat in additional to your usual choices.

[AmazonDC]

Originally Posted by Gemme

I asked the professional and He said as far as the veggies go, add a little olive oil and roast them before adding them. You could also try switching up the veggies you use for a new flavor profile. Also, He suggested a 'bugano de garne' (not how it's spelled, I'm sure, but in the ballpark as to how it's pronounced). Basically, get a bunch of herbs and spices and put them in cheesecloth and tie it closed. Let it steep in the broth and remove it before serving. You can use the no sodium salt by Morton (neither of Us could remember what it's really called) or red pepper flakes or whatever floats your boat in additional to your usual choices.

It's called bouquet garni babygrl

[nycfem]

Thanks, everyone, for the helpful suggestions on how to make my veggie soup more flavorful. They were a big hit with my husbutch! Thanks for taking the time. It is appreciated.

[nycfem]

Tonight I experimented with a recipe and I knew in the back of my head it probably would not work, and it didn't. Still... go me, for trying something new! I bought a can of Amy's coconut Thai soup (always seems like it'll be great but always ends up being "meh", also loaded with sodium). I used that as a base to stir-fry cabbage, onions, and tofu-shiritaku noodles. I added a little curry powder. It ended up being so bland, so I melted two TBS of peanut butter and mixed that in, along with 2 TBS of sweet chili sauce. That saved it but I'd definitely not repeat this "Amy's Thai soup as base for stir-fry" thing again!

[nycfem]

Okkkkk, so tonight I made a stirfry with a can of light coconut milk (used too much!), curry, peanutbutter, and carrots, tofu, onions, and cabbage. It was okay but definitely bland, not something I'd make again.

[tantalizingfemme]

Originally Posted by nycfem

Hello, vegheads, I've been making this soup for BB and me that we both like but is just coming out too bland! I wanted to tell you the ingredients and see if you might have a suggestion as to how I could somehow make it less bland. I use low-sodium vegetable broth, low-sodium soy sauce, peanut butter, chopped ginger, chopped vegetables, and curry powder. Any thoughts?

Some liquid smoke and a bit of tomato paste will help give a rich flavor. And I also second the coconut milk. Also Garam Masala is awesome too.

[starryeyes]

My partner and I are vegan Hello to the fellow vegans!

[Gemme]

Originally Posted by AmazonDC

It's called bouquet garni babygrl

Tomato, tomahtow.

[tantalizingfemme]

Originally Posted by tantalizingfemme

Some liquid smoke and a bit of tomato paste will help give a rich flavor. And I also second the coconut milk. Also Garam Masala is awesome too.

Instead of curry powder try some red curry paste.