# Quick: What spice should I use?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-what-spice-should-i-use/97402
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
**Created:** [December 7, 2001, 8:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-what-spice-should-i-use/97402 "2001-12-07T08:06:41Z")
**Posts on this page:** 8
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@alondra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alondra)
#### Post date: [December 7, 2001, 8:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-what-spice-should-i-use/97402/1 "2001-12-07T08:06:41Z")
In my continuing quest to improve my pathetic culinary skills I’ve decided to attempt my first soup tonight. I squirreled up a recipe for Potato Leek Soup and am making the stock now, but my concern is that it may be too bland. Aside from potatoes, leeks, chives, stock and cream… the only flavorings it calls for are salt and pepper. Any suggestions as to something I might add to “spice” it up a bit?
Thyme? Dill? Powdered horn of a narwahl?
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### Author:  [@Soda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Soda)
#### Post date: [December 7, 2001, 8:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-what-spice-should-i-use/97402/2 "2001-12-07T08:16:50Z")
Thyme. That’s the best spice for potato leek soup. You could try a little bit of rosemary too, but be careful with it. Rosemary tend to take over.
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### Author:  [@bare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bare)
#### Post date: [December 7, 2001, 8:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-what-spice-should-i-use/97402/3 "2001-12-07T08:17:04Z")
Try a bit of rosemary.
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### Author:  [@JavaMaven1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JavaMaven1)
#### Post date: [December 7, 2001, 8:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-what-spice-should-i-use/97402/4 "2001-12-07T08:17:56Z")
I’d use a little thyme, maybe a touch of rosemary. I’ve done a cream of potato-leek soup, and added a bit of thyme, but with the leek, and proper amounts of salt and pepper, it’s very tasty–not bland at all.
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### Author:  [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)
#### Post date: [December 7, 2001, 8:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-what-spice-should-i-use/97402/5 "2001-12-07T08:19:49Z")
Thyme!
No, cinnamon!
No wait, I mean, basil!
No! Hold on! Sea Salt!
Damn! I’M JUST NO GOOD UNDER PRESSURE!!!
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### Author:  [@JavaMaven1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JavaMaven1)
#### Post date: [December 7, 2001, 8:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-what-spice-should-i-use/97402/6 "2001-12-07T08:19:49Z")
Wow. Triple simul-post!
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### Author:  [@Hemlock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hemlock)
#### Post date: [December 7, 2001, 8:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-what-spice-should-i-use/97402/7 "2001-12-07T08:23:47Z")
The leek and chives will add a fair bit of flavor. A clove of garlic would, too.
If you want a spice (you’re listing hebs there), a bit of **nutmeg** could work. Or maybe a pinch of **paprika**. **Caraway** might work, too. (Not altogether, btw)
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### Author:  [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)
#### Post date: [December 7, 2001, 8:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-what-spice-should-i-use/97402/8 "2001-12-07T08:24:31Z")
I make huge potato and leek pies in the cheese sauce I put nutmeg, cinnamon and seeded mustard. You might try mustard spiced croutons as a side dish - spread bread with mustard, toast and chop up.