General Vegetable Soup Food

SERIOUSLY GOOD VEGETABLE SOUP

Steps:

• Warm 3 tablespoons of the olive oil in a large Dutch oven or soup pot over medium heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the chopped onion, carrot, celery, seasonal vegetables and 1/2 teaspoon of the salt. Cook, stirring often, until the onion has softened and is turning translucent, about 6 to 8 minutes.
• Add the garlic, curry powder and thyme. Cook until fragrant while stirring frequently, about 1 minute. Pour in the diced tomatoes with their juices and cook for a few more minutes, stirring often.
• Pour in the broth and water. Add 1/2 teaspoon more salt, 2 bay leaves and the red pepper flakes. Season generously with freshly ground black pepper. Raise the heat and bring the mixture to a boil, then partially cover the pot and reduce heat to maintain a gentle simmer.
• Cook for 25 minutes, then remove the lid and add the chopped greens. Continue simmering for 5 minutes or more, until the greens have softened to your liking.
• Remove the pot from heat and remove the bay leaves. Stir in the lemon juice and remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Taste and season with more salt, pepper and/or red pepper flakes. (You might need up to ½ teaspoon more salt, depending on your vegetable broth and your personal preferences.) Divide into bowls and enjoy.

EASY HOMEMADE VEGETABLE SOUP

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a stockpot pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onions, carrots, celery, and tomato paste. Cook, stirring often until the vegetables have softened and the onions are translucent; 8 to 10 minutes.
• Add the garlic, fennel, black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and the red pepper flakes. Cook, while stirring, for one minute.
• Pour in the canned tomatoes and their juices as well as the stock/broth.
• Add the potatoes, cabbage, and bay leaves. Raise the heat to medium-high and bring the soup to a boil. Partially cover the pot with a lid, and then reduce the heat to maintain a low simmer.
• Simmer for 20 minutes or until the potatoes, and other vegetables are tender. Add the frozen peas and cook for five more minutes.
• Remove the pot from the heat and remove the bay leaves. Stir in the cider vinegar (or lemon juice). Taste and season with more salt, pepper or vinegar. Serve.

VERSATILE VEG SOUP

Steps:

• Fry the vegetables and potatoes in a pan with the oil for a few minutes until beginning to soften.
• Cover with the stock and simmer for 10-15 mins until the veg is tender. Blend until smooth, then season. Serve with a dollop of crème fraîche and some fresh herbs. Will freeze for up to one month.

GENERAL VEGETABLE SOUP

Steps:

• Peel and wash the chosen vegetables and slice or cut them into 1/2 in (1cm) dice according to type. Peel the marrow but leave the skin on the courgettes. Cut the fresh tomatoes into quarters. Rinse and slice any large mushrooms, leave small ones whole. De-rind and chop the bacon.
• Heat the oil in a large saucepan over a moderate heat, and fry the sliced onion, chopped garlic and bacon for 4-5 minutes until the onion is softened but not brown, and the bacon is just crisp.
• Add the prepared chosen root vegetables (leeks, carrots, potato, celery, turnip, swede and parsnip) and fry for a further 4-5 minutes, turning them over gently in the hot oil. Add the canned tomatoes, pour on the stock and gravy, add the herbs, stir well and bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer with the lid on for 20-30 minutes, until the vegetables are soft.
• Add the remaining fresh vegetables (cauliflower florets, courgettes, marrow, tomatoes, mushrooms) and continue to simmer for a further 15 minutes, adding the left-over cooked vegetables for the last 10 minutes of cooking time.
• Season well with salt, pepper and a dash of Tabasco. Sprinkle with fresh snipped parsley or chives if available and serve nice and hot.