Can I Use A Different Spice For The Happiness Soup?

Our answer

Nigella's Happiness Soup (from NIGELLA SUMMER) is perfect for early Autumn when the weather may be slightly cooler and yellow courgettes (summer squash) are abundent. The soup includes a teaspoon of turmeric as it gives the soup an earthy warmth and deepens the golden colour.

The root (rhizome) of the turmeric plant is used for cooking, either freshly grated or dried and ground (either can be used for the soup). It has an earthy, peppery and slightly bitter flavour. If you don't like the flavour then there are a couple of possible alternatives. Saffron would give the same vibrant colour and its slightly floral flavour goes well with the summer squash and the rice. Use a pinch of saffron strands and add at the same time as the lemon zest. Otherwise, ginger is from the same family as turmeric and has a peppery warmth but without the bitterness. Use 2 teaspoonfuls of freshly grated ginger and add at the beginning of step 2. Ginger won't give the same sunny colour but you are still likely to feel happy after a bowlful of the soup.