Sure! Here’s a detailed recipe for a hearty vegetable soup. It’s delicious, nutritious, and easy to make! You can adjust it to fit your taste and dietary preferences.
Hearty Vegetable Soup Recipe
Ingredients:
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2 tablespoons olive oil
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1 medium onion, chopped
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2 garlic cloves, minced
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2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
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2 celery stalks, chopped
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1 medium potato, peeled and diced
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1 zucchini, chopped
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1 cup green beans, chopped
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1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes (with juice)
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1 can (15 oz) kidney beans (or any bean of choice), drained and rinsed
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1 liter (4 cups) vegetable broth (or chicken broth)
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4 cups water
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1 bay leaf
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1 teaspoon dried thyme
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1 teaspoon dried oregano
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Salt and pepper to taste
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Fresh parsley (for garnish, optional)
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A squeeze of lemon juice (optional, for extra flavor)
Directions:
1. Prep Your Ingredients:
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Start by washing and prepping all the vegetables. Peel and chop the carrots and potato, chop the celery, zucchini, and green beans, and mince the garlic. Drain and rinse the beans.
2. Sauté the Base:
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Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
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Add the chopped onion and garlic to the pot. Sauté for about 5 minutes until they soften and become fragrant.
3. Add the Vegetables:
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Add the diced carrots, celery, and potatoes to the pot. Stir everything together and cook for about 5-7 minutes, letting the vegetables slightly soften.
4. Add the Broth and Seasonings:
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Pour in the vegetable broth and water, then add the diced tomatoes (with juice), green beans, and zucchini.
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Stir in the bay leaf, thyme, oregano, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Bring the soup to a boil over medium-high heat.
5. Simmer the Soup:
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Once the soup comes to a boil, reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for 25-30 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender and the flavors have melded together.
6. Add the Beans:
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After the soup has simmered and the vegetables are tender, add the kidney beans (or your choice of beans) to the pot. Stir to combine and let the soup cook for another 5-10 minutes to heat the beans through.
7. Final Seasoning:
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Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning if needed, adding more salt, pepper, or herbs as desired.
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If you want a bit of extra flavor, squeeze in some fresh lemon juice just before serving.
8. Serve and Garnish:
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Remove the bay leaf from the pot.
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Ladle the soup into bowls, and garnish with fresh parsley if you’d like.
Serving Suggestions:
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Serve the soup with a slice of crusty bread or a grilled cheese sandwich for a comforting meal.
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You can store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze it for up to 3 months.
Enjoy your hearty, homemade vegetable soup! It’s perfect for a cozy dinner or for meal prepping throughout the week.