Soup vs. Stew (what is "official" difference..??)

[Sourdough]

In culinary arts school, what is the "OFFECIAL" distinction" between a soup and a stew...???

 

[Cabin Fever]

Viscosity

 

[Peanut]

I always view soup as a failed stew.

 

[Supervisor42]

You never need a fork to eat soup, only a spoon.
With a good stew, you will need a fork.... and crackers.

 

[Sourdough]

Viscosity

That confirms what I have always assumed or believed. Thanks.

 

[Sourdough]

Viscosity

That confirms what I have always assumed or believed. Thanks.

 

[Tommyice]

I think it has to do with size of the ingredients and the amount of liquid.

@Supervisor42 skip the crackers and get yourself some crusty ciabatta to sop up the gravy of your stew.

 

[Amish Heart]

Yep. One is in gravy, the other is in liquid.

 

[Shawn Burkett]

To me soup has smaller pieces and the broth is thin. Stew has larger bite sized pieces and the broth is thicker.

 

[Cabin Fever]

I've made chili that has ranged from soup to stew in consistency. All had the exact same ingredients. It all depends on how much masa flour I use to thicken it with.

 

[Peanut]

I use corn starch in chili and in asian soups to thicken. Don't care for runny chili. Also, traditional hot n sour or egg drop soups are thicker than usual american soup. Asian restaurants use corn starch.

 

[Sourdough]

I use instant mashed potatoes to thicken soup/stews.

 

[Pearl]

I have a simple beef stew in the crock pot, as it gets closer to being done/supper time, I'll make a simple white gravy to to thicken it if necessary.

 

[Curmudgeon]

Viscosity

Yup, I always figured if you can stand a wooden spoon up in it, then it's stew.

 

[Weedygarden]

I've made chili that has ranged from soup to stew in consistency. All had the exact same ingredients. It all depends on how much masa flour I use to thicken it with.

I've never thickened or thinned chili. I put the meat, beans, onions, tomatoes in the pot and cook it. It is pretty thick.

 

[BBLife]

I've never thickened or thinned chili. I put the meat, beans, onions, tomatoes in the pot and cook it. It is pretty thick.

Me too. If it's too thin it simply means it needs to simmer with the lid off for a while to cook off the water.

When I want a good thick stew I put in Stinging Nettle chopped up. It will help and it makes the stew tons more nutritious / good for you. If you use Nettle you can omit Bay Leaves.

 

[Weedygarden]

Me too. If it's too thin it simply means it needs to simmer with the lid off for a while to cook off the water.

When I want a good thick stew I put in Stinging Nettle chopped up. It will help and it makes the stew tons more nutritious / good for you. If you use Nettle you can omit Bay Leaves.

I have never cooked with nettle. I have only encountered nettles once in my life, while cleaning up the grave of a gg aunt in eastern Nebraska.

 

[Cabin Fever]

I've never thickened or thinned chili. I put the meat, beans, onions, tomatoes in the pot and cook it. It is pretty thick.

No ground chili powder?

 

[Weedygarden]

No ground chili powder?

Yes, ground chili powder. Probably a few other spices as well, garlic, salt, maybe others, even a little turmeric. I used to make chili a few times each winter, but I haven't made any in a while. I tend to look at my spices when I cook, and add a little of this or that, that I think fits. I know some people follow recipes to the letter.

 

[Bacpacker]

I've not found chili powder in a year or more

 

[BBLife]

I looked and didn't see chili powder on this site but thought I'd share it as it is great for getting things for camping, backpacking or just prepping. I always would do my backpacking trips with an order of stuff from here: Travel Size Toiletries | Minimus your Travel Size Products Superstore

Lots of options on Amazon though: Amazon.com

 

[Morgan101]

Yup, I always figured if you can stand a wooden spoon up in it, then it's stew.

Sounds like Cowboy Coffee. When you think it is ready you drop a bullet or a horseshoe in. If it sinks it's not done yet.

I have always been a fan of stews and thick, heavy soup. I do not care for thin brothy soup. I guess I don't have the patience (or the manners) to eat broth with a spoon. I want to put it in a mug and drink it.

 

[joel]

I've not found chili powder in a year or more

Kroger has it.

Viscosity

I agree, DW soup is half to two thirds water/broth.

 

[Bacpacker]

Kroger has it.

I agree, DW soup is half to two thirds water/broth.

Not around here. Neither does WM, Sams, Food City. Unobtainium around here.

 

[Pearl]

Not around here. Neither does WM, Sams, Food City. Unobtainium around here.

I'll trade some chili powder for eggs and gasoline!!

 

[Shawn Burkett]

Try bulkfoods.com - run a search and you will find several types. Just looking through the spice list you won't find it under chili powder, it's listed under the names. Dark chili powder is under the D's in their alphabetical list.