How to Make a Hearty Vegetable Soup

Looking for ways to warm yourself up during the cold season? A delicious and nutritious vegetable soup is the perfect answer! This hearty soup provides a blend of different vegetables with a touch of spiciness, making it a healthy yet comforting meal. In this article, we will walk you through how to prepare an easy, flavorful vegetable soup that is sure to become your family's favorite.

Ingredients and Servings

The following ingredients are needed for our recipe:

• 1 large onion (chopped)
• 3 carrots (sliced)
• 4 celery ribs (chopped)
• 1 zucchini (diced)
• 2 potatoes (peeled and cubed)
• 4 cups of vegetable broth
• 3 cloves of garlic (minced)
• 1 teaspoon of dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon of paprika
• Salt to taste
• Paprika for garnish (optional)

Cooking time: 45 minutes. Number of servings: 6.

Steps for Preparing the Vegetable Soup

1. Step 1: Prepare the vegetables: Chop all the vegetables as mentioned above and set them aside in a large pot.
2. Step 2: Sauté the onions: Heat some oil over medium heat, add chopped onion to it. Once the onion turns translucent, about 3-4 minutes, proceed to the next step.
3. Step 3: Add the remaining vegetables: Now you can add all the other chopped vegetables one by one into the pot with onions and stir well. Let them cook for another 5 minutes or so until they soften a little bit.
4. Step 4: Mix in garlic and herbs: Add minced garlic, dried thyme, paprika, salt to taste. Stir again, making sure everything is well mixed with the vegetables.
5. Step 5: Add vegetable broth: Pour in four cups of vegetable broth into the pot. Bring it all to a boil and then reduce heat down to low. Cover the pot and let it simmer for about 20-25 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
6. Step 6: Blend if desired: Once the vegetables are cooked through, blend half of your soup using an immersion blender or in batches in a regular blender. This will add that extra creaminess to the soup without sacrificing its texture too much.
7. Step 7: Finish and serve: Season with more salt if necessary, garnish with paprika (if used), and serve hot as your main course or side dish.

Tips for a Better Soup

If you want to make this soup even richer in flavor, consider adding some beans such as kidney beans or chickpeas. You can also experiment with different spices like cumin or coriander powder based on your taste preferences.

• For added texture, add a few pieces of firm tofu towards the end when blending to make it creamier without losing its shape.
• If you prefer more heat in your soup, include some red pepper flakes. Start with just half a teaspoon and adjust according to taste.

A vegetable soup is an excellent way to use up any leftover vegetables from the fridge while also providing essential vitamins and minerals without too many calories. It’s easy on the budget, adaptable to whatever you have at home, and incredibly satisfying when it's cold outside or just after a workout. So next time you're looking for something that fills your belly but leaves your wallet happy, consider giving this delicious vegetable soup recipe a try!

Enjoy your hearty homemade vegetable soup! Remember, the key is to use fresh ingredients and allow enough cooking time so that all the vegetables are tender. You can also vary the flavors by adding different herbs or spices based on what you have available.