Chicken soup mix as a spice

Posted: Fri, Jan 06 2012, 4:09 am Post subject: Chicken soup mix as a spice

It's come to my attention just how many people use chicken soup mix as a spice. I always thought sfardim have such a range of really flavorful spices they use that they'd have no need to rely on soup mix to give their food flavor, but a friend told me that, at least in israel, soup mix is THE spice used in almost all recipes, especially among sfardi housewives. And here I was thinking its just an american thing...

Do you use soup mix as a spice? What foods do you make with soup mix?

When I mean using it as a spice, I mean that there's more than one dish that you make with soup mix, that you use it in a variety of dishes, etc...
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Diamond Member Joined: Mar 29 2005 Posts: 3592

I confess; I use pareve chicken soup mix when I make couscous or ptitim. That way it's pareve and I don't waste my yummy homemade chicken soup on it. So is it because I'm Ashkenazi?

I also use onion soup mix on my brisket.

Posted: Fri, Jan 06 2012, 4:15 am Post subject: re: Chicken soup mix as a spice

And in case this post is coming across as judgmental, it isn't meant to be. I don't think soup mix is evil. Personally, I am sensitive to MSG when it is in soup mix, but I realize that not everyone is.

I actually was posting this just because I was surprised at how often soup mix is used by people locally. Even before I got on a "health kick", I only used soup mix in a certain rice and chicken recipe, in chicken soup, in white sauce, in roasts, and in onion sour cream dip, and I didn't make those often. So I was just surprised finding out that some locals (perhaps most even) use chicken soup mix in all their chicken recipes, on their potatoes, in their kugels, etc....

Posted: Fri, Jan 06 2012, 4:36 am Post subject:

I use onion soup mix when I make my spinach or broccoli kugel. Also when I make chicken with rice. SOMETIMES on a brisket.

But for other things like soup and schnitzels I add fresh herbs, paprika, turmeric, cumin, salt, pepper and garlic powder...
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Senior Member Joined: Oct 16 2011 Posts: 208

I never use chicken soup mix , but use onion soup mix in many things including chulent, brown rice etc.. it adds a good flavor
and I'm ashkenazi and live in Israel
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Senior Member Joined: Oct 16 2011 Posts: 208

I never use chicken soup mix , but use onion soup mix in many things including chulent, brown rice etc.. it adds a good flavor
and I'm ashkenazi and live in Israel (but had been using it b4 that also- just based on recipies I like not where I live)

Silver Member Joined: Aug 30 2010 Posts: 608

I used to use commercial soup mixes as spice, but I haven't for years. I use herbs and spices and can taste a commercial mix with the first bite.
I'm ashkenazi and live in Israel.

Diamond Member Joined: Mar 29 2005 Posts: 3592

Gold Member Joined: Jun 05 2011 Posts: 1052

I regularly use soup mix as a spice but I try to get the one without msg. I generally don't use it exclusively but I find it adds a lot to soups, rice, etc..

Posted: Fri, Jan 06 2012, 4:52 am Post subject:

I don't use soup mix it is full of sugar.
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Diamond Member Joined: Mar 29 2005 Posts: 3592

[quote="Seraph] You can make your chicken soup with less chicken that way. Or even with none at all. Very Happy

They used to serve us "chicken soup" in our school lunches on milchig days...[/quote]

I don't see the point of making the soup with less chicken. I use all the chicken from the soup for chicken salad or chinese chicken so it seems economical to me. And if I want pareve, I'll just make vegetable soup. To each her own.

Now I'm really looking forward to eating my chicken soup tonight!

Posted: Fri, Jan 06 2012, 5:42 am Post subject: re: Chicken soup mix as a spice

Same here. I especially put more bottoms into the chicken soup so I can also enjoy this treat on Sunday night!
I use only onion soup mix for one recipe: onion soup.

Diamond Member Joined: Sep 18 2004 Posts: 2600

I don't use any soup mixes for anything.
I consider the chemicals unhealthy and they contain huge amounts of sugar and sodium.

I cook food with spices and lots of onions.

I make soup with lots of chicken, onion, celery, carrots, zuccini, sweet potato.