Add a good-quality curry powder to potato soup or fines herbes to a light fish chowder. Allspice and cloves add a unique dimension to squash and root vegetable soups and white pepper lends a bit of zing without overpowering soup with spicy heat. Saffron is a good addition to seafood soups with a light tomato base. Other Flavor Enhancers Keep a selection of vinegar, wine, oil and various condiments on-hand to add depth and complexity to your favorite soups. Herb-infused oils can be drizzled on finished soups for extra flavor and body.
Chile paste adds a kick to rich tomato-based soups, such as cioppino or seafood stews.
Tamari also enhances flavors, and other Asian ingredients are essential for specialties such as hot and sour soup. As the leaves begin to fall and the temperature grows colder, it may seem as if the harvest has come to a close. This time of year, though, you'll find some of the garden's best treasures still growing. Of course, squashes often take center stage, but don't forget about the root vegetables such as potatoes, celery root, turnips and parsnips. This is also the best time of year to harvest leeks, a perfect soup-making ingredient.