Vegetable Broth Soup

Ingredients

  • olive oil (for sautéing)
  • soup base
  • parsley
  • carrot
  • celery
  • onion
  • leeks
  • red pepper
  • garlic
  • 2 Tbs. Better Than Bouillon
  • canned tomatoes
  • saffron (optional)
  • 3 qts water

Method

  1. Sauté all vegetables in stock pot in a little olive oil. Divide leek in 4 vertical parts and use 1/4. Sautéing the vegetables for the soup keeps them from getting soft.
  2. After sautéing, add 2 cups plum tomatoes and small amount of saffron. I use 2 Tbs. Better Than Bouillon (optional). Add water and simmer uncovered.
  3. If adding zucchini or other short-cooking vegetables, don't sauté them — just add them in the last hour of simmering.
  4. Optional: add a mixture of beans to make it more like minestrone, but don't overcook them.

Tips & Notes

  • Sautéing the vegetables for the soup keeps them from getting soft.
  • If adding zucchini or short cooking veggies, don't sauté them — just throw in the last hour.
  • Use a mixture of beans to make it more like minestrone soup, but don't overcook them.

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