What constitutes a great soup?

 

Some of the best things that come out of my kitchen are soups. I think the best example that comes to mind is a rich, highly reduced stock that is unsalted until its finished the cooking cycle. Good soup needs to reduce as much time as it needs. The white pork broth found in Tonkotsu Ramen stock takes boiling pork bones slowly for 14 hours. Chicken thighs take 4 hour on a reducing boil over low heat. More interesting soup use complimentary ingredients.

What to add to enhance the flavor:

Madeira

Port

Wine

Oyster sauce

Soy

Red or white wine

Herbs and spices

Bread, beans, vegetables*, corn, lentils, olive oil, meat, chicken, or shell fish, lobster, haddock, cod, herring, coconut milk

Salt

Some favorite vegetables include corn, pablano chilies, fresh tomatoes, fresh green beans, squash, potatoes, zucchini, and cilantro, or parsley.

For example, see tortilla soup recipe on this blog.