Help! Chicken and Wild rice soup needs some extra flavor [closed]

Question

I made a creamy chicken and wild rice soup for the first time following a recipe I found online. However, now that it's finished, I think it needs more flavor. The only seasonings I used was a the package of seasoning included in the Uncle Ben's Long Grain and Wild Rice box. What's the best way to add spices to it now that it's finished, and what are some good spices to add to this soup (Ingredients thus far are: Chicken, long grain and wild rice, carrots, celery, onions, chicken broth, heavy cream). Thanks!

Thanks for the extra questions. Here's the recipe I used: http://www.food.com/recipe/copy-cat-panera-cream-of-chicken-and-wild-rice-soup-438883

As for what's in the seasoning mix. It was the pre-package of seasoning in Uncle Ben's Long and Wild Rice Box. Per the box, the seasoning blend contains a mixture of the following: Hydrolyzed corn/soy/wheat protein; dried onion; dried parsley; sugar; autolyzed yeast extract; dried spinach; garlic powder; salt; spices; torula yeast; celery; onion powder; hydrolyzed yeast protein; nautral smoke flavor; natural flavors; dried tomato; dried carrot; extractives of paprika

Answer 1

This may not be your issue, but the number one problem that cooks have is in the area of salt. Soup needs a lot of salt unfortunately or it tastes bleh and insipid.

Answer 2

I'm going out on a limb here and assume that using heavy cream might have dulled the percieved intensity of the flavours.

So to add more "omph" you should add more of what is already in there. As the soup is done, you can't use anything that requires a long cooking time because you'd be turning everythinhg to mush.

Granted, you could cut more vegies, sauté them separately and add to the soup, but that would be probably too much effort. The veggies in this recipe are a classic mirepoix or, in other words, the flavour base for a soup. In a pinch, I'd add either (part of) a stock cube and/or a bit of extra salt and a generous dash of pepper.

If this still needs more "herby" accents, try adding what is in the seasoning mix, but stay clear from all herbs in your cupboard that are to large or woody, because they would need a while to soften. Powdered or fresh is your friend here: I'd try

• some powdered allspice and a quick grating of nutmeg, black pepper and a pea-sized blob or two of yeast extract (stir well), if at hand.
• a pinch of oregano, and a very small pinch of basil and perhaps a dusting of dried rosemary or
• 1/2 to 1 tsp of paprika, a hint of chili and perhaps some cumin or
• fresh parsley or fresh chives, or some chilantro, but I know that that's either love or hate for most.
• If you happen to have fresh lovage, that would be my first choice: chop finely, add a teaspoon or so for a really intense "soupy" flavour. Cook for another minute or two to mellow the flavour, serve.

Answer 3

Powdered soup mix can be a little light on flavors. Fortunately, a few common spices make for great additives to your soup. Here's a few things you can try.

• Bay Leaf: A tried and true flavor additive to any soup. Add one or two for a little extra flavor.
• Bullion Cube: Sometimes the broth doesn't have quite enough flavor, and adding a proper bullion cube (in this case, Chicken) can liven it up a bit. Take care, as bullion cubes are high in sodium. Don't add more than one.
• Salt As Escroce said, some soups just need a little extra salt to bring out the flavor. Don't overdo it, for the same reason you don't want to overdo the bullion cubes.

Another option is to just add more of what the spice pack supposedly has already. Out of the listed ingredients, you could add more: dried parsley; sugar; garlic powder; salt; onion powder; paprika

Out of those options, I'd recommend adding additional parsley, garlic powder, salt, onion powder or paprika to keep the original flavor, though only in small amounts so as not to let any one flavor overpower another.

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Final suggestion: Since these are seasonings, you should add them a little bit at a time after the soup is done cooking, mixing it in and taking a small taste to see how it affects the flavor. You'll eventually find the flavor you're looking for.

Answer 4

Are you cooking the celery, carrots and onions before you add them to the soup?

As @Stephie says, you've got a classic mirepoix in those ingredients. I like to chop them pretty finely (though a food processor gives results that are much too fine, like a paste; don't use one for this) and cook them together in a tablespoon of olive oil until the onions are soft, translucent and golden. Throw a couple cloves of garlic or a shallot in there, too.

My other suggestions are a little sprig of fresh dill or chopping up one of the entire tops of the frilly leaves of the top of a carrot, if you have carrots that come with leaves.

Also, if you ever buy hard cheese, use the uneaten rinds as an ingredient. The rinds of Parmesan work well. Grocery stores that sell fancy hard cheeses in plastic-wrapped blocks can also sell you rinds if you ask at the cheese section. Like a bay leaf, rinds are meant to be removed before you serve the soup. This can increase the perceived saltiness, so adjust your salt, but it adds many earthy and wonderful flavors that are softened by cream.