recipe: HEARTY VEGETABLE SOUP

Around this time of year it's always nice to have a hearty bowl of soup to warm your bones!  There is something so comforting about it and when the soup is hearty it can be very satiating.  This is a super simple recipe, made with basic and fresh ingredients, that will definitely hit the spot...

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 large sweet onion, chopped into large pieces (1/2 to 1 inch)
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 7 roma tomatoes, chopped
• 1 large zucchini, chopped
• 1 large yellow squash, chopped
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 2 cups water
• 1 small handful fresh cilantro, finely chopped
• 2 teaspoons coarse salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper

INSTRUCTIONS:
Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over low to medium heat.  Add onion and garlic.  Cook for about 5 minutes or until the onions start to get clear. 

Add tomatoes and cook for about 10 minutes until some liquid starts to develop from the tomatoes.  (At this point I like to just mash up the tomatoes a bit with my spoon adding to the liquid but still leaving the tomatoes chunky).

Add the rest of the ingredients and bring to a boil.  Then reduce heat and let simmer for a minimum of 20 minutes.  (You can let it cook for up to an hour, stirring occasionally.  The longer it cooks the better the flavor will be.  Best if you can let it sit in the refrigerator overnight before serving).

You can add more salt, pepper, or olive oil according to your taste. 

Makes approximately 4 to 5 bowls of soup.

Enjoy!


GTBB,
Bad Joan