Anyone who’s ever stirred a packet of instant soup into hot water knows the flavour is usually more salt than soup. A reel shared by Chef Rohitchandra on Instagram has gone viral by offering a homemade alternative, a soup premix powder you can make once and use whenever a bowl of something warm is calling. In the caption, he describes it as a handmade, flavourful way to enjoy restaurant-style soup at home, easy to use and comforting any time of the day. The recipe uses dals, almonds, whole spices and a few pantry staples, and as per the video, it needs only a mixer grinder. Here’s how it comes together.
The first step is to roast all of these ingredients on a low flame. Keeping the heat low is important, since dals, almonds and spices can burn quickly and turn bitter. Stir often so everything colours evenly, and stop when the kitchen smells fragrant and the dals look lightly toasted. Then comes the part that’s easy to rush: let the roasted ingredients cool down completely. Grinding warm ingredients can leave moisture in the powder, so patience here pays off later. Once cooled, transfer the roasted mixture to a medium-sized jar and add the second set of ingredients: two tablespoons of milk powder, half a teaspoon of black salt, two tablespoons of onion powder, one tablespoon of garlic powder, two tablespoons of corn flour and one teaspoon of sugar. The milk powder adds creaminess, the corn flour helps thicken the soup, and the onion and garlic powders bring that familiar savoury depth. The tiny bit of sugar balances out the spices rather than making it sweet. The reel, as described, focuses on making the powder itself. For serving, a common approach with premixes like this is to whisk a couple of tablespoons into cold water first, which helps avoid lumps, then heat it while stirring until it thickens, and adjust salt and pepper to taste. You can also stir in finely chopped vegetables. Store the powder in a clean, dry, airtight jar away from moisture, and always use a dry spoon. Since it contains almonds and milk powder, it’s best to make small batches. It’s a simple recipe, and the fact that it comes from your own kitchen is a good part of its charm. With the right jar of premix in the cupboard, a comforting bowl of soup is only a few minutes away.