As the days grow colder, I love a good bowl of soul-warming soup. This one will do the trick in a jiffy and is perfect to make when you feel a cold coming on. It does require some time to make, so make sure you start preparing and cooking it at least an hour or two before dinnertime. This recipe should make anywhere from 6-10 servings, so be prepared for leftovers (no worries, they'll taste just as yummy).
Ingredients:
1 large can of vegetable broth
5-7 large carrots (peeled and chopped)
3-4 cups of water
3 tablespoons of olive oil
½ onion (chopped)
1 cup of celery (chopped)
1 cup of spinach (1 cup)
1 cup of peas
1 cup of green beans
Salt and pepper (to taste)
Note: Always try to buy organic ingredients whenever possible: This will enhance flavor and nutritional value.
Directions:
- Add the olive oil to the bottom of a big pot on medium heat, then add the chopped onion. Sautee the onion in the olive oil for a minute or two by moving it around with a wooden spoon. Just make sure the onions don't burn.
- After a minute or two has passed, add in the rest of the vegetables, and then the water and broth. The vegetables should be added first to avoid creating a mess (no one likes soup splashing on them, after all). Once both the vegetables and the liquids are added, set the heat to low.
- Add salt and pepper to taste and stir the liquids and vegetables together. Let it continue to simmer for at least an hour, stirring occasionally, and checking frequently. The reason I say an hour is because the liquids will absorb the taste of the vegetables the longer they cook together, making the broth tastier. Plus, the vegetables will literally melt in your mouth.
- Once the hour is up, turn the heat off and let the soup cool down. Serve and enjoy!
