Description
Hearty vegetable soup from Mediterranean traditions blends fresh garden produce with aromatic herbs. Nourishing ingredients create a comforting bowl that connects you to rustic culinary landscapes.
Ingredients
- 4 cups vegetable broth (or chicken broth for non-vegetarian)
- 2 cups water
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 medium potatoes, diced
- 2 medium carrots, sliced
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 zucchini, diced
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes (with juice)
- 1 cup green beans, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, canned, or frozen)
- 1 cup peas (fresh or frozen)
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Aromatic Foundation: Sauté onions, garlic, carrots, and celery in olive oil until softened and translucent, releasing a rich fragrant base for the soup.
- Vegetable Integration: Add potatoes, zucchini, green beans, tomatoes, and vegetable broth to the aromatic mixture, creating a robust vegetable medley.
- Herbal Enhancement: Infuse the soup with thyme, basil, and bay leaf, seasoning with salt and pepper to develop a complex flavor profile.
- Cooking Process: Bring the mixture to a vigorous boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer, covering and allowing ingredients to harmonize for 25-30 minutes.
- Final Vegetable Addition: Stir in corn kernels and green peas, continuing to simmer until all vegetables reach optimal tenderness and flavors meld completely.
- Finishing Touches: Extract the bay leaf, perform a final taste adjustment, and ladle the vibrant soup into serving bowls.
- Presentation: Garnish with fresh parsley or a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, serving the soup steaming hot and brimming with colorful, nutritious vegetables.
Notes
Optimize Vegetable Chopping: Ensure uniform, bite-sized vegetable cuts for even cooking and consistent texture throughout the soup.
Control Liquid Consistency: Adjust vegetable broth quantity to achieve desired soup thickness – add more for thinner soup, reduce for heartier version.
Enhance Flavor Depth: Consider roasting vegetables briefly before adding to soup to develop richer, more caramelized flavor profiles.
Dietary Adaptations: Swap vegetable broth with bone broth for protein boost, or use gluten-free broth for celiac-friendly option; add protein like cooked quinoa or white beans for more substantial meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 95
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 3 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg