Yes, you can absolutely put garlic in soup! In fact, garlic is a common and flavorful addition to many soups.
Adding Garlic to Soup: Methods and Benefits
Garlic enhances the taste of soups in several ways, depending on how you add it:
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Whole Roasted Garlic: A whole head of garlic, with the top third cut off, can be added directly to the soup. The cloves will become sweet and jammy during cooking. This method imparts a subtle, mellow garlic flavor throughout the soup. [Reference: "Place a whole head of garlic in a soup or stew with the top third of the head cut off: The cloves will get sweet and jammy as they cook."]
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Minced or Chopped Garlic: Adding minced or chopped garlic directly to the pot allows for a more immediate and potent garlic flavor. This is ideal for soups where a stronger garlic presence is desired.
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Garlic Powder or Granules: For a milder garlic flavor, you can use garlic powder or granules. This is a convenient option and easily controlled for flavor intensity.
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Garlic Infused Oil: Sautéing vegetables in garlic-infused oil before adding them to the soup will impart a subtle garlicky flavor without the strong bite of raw garlic.
Types of Soups that Benefit from Garlic
Garlic complements a wide variety of soups, including:
- Tomato Soup: Garlic enhances the sweetness of tomatoes.
- Vegetable Soup: Garlic adds depth and complexity to vegetable flavors.
- Chicken Soup: Garlic provides a savory note that balances the richness of chicken broth.
- Lentil Soup: Garlic complements the earthy taste of lentils.
- Creamy Soups: Garlic enhances creamy soups without overpowering the creaminess.
