Zesty Vegetable Soup

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons (30ml) olive oil 2 tablespoons (30ml) olive oil
• 1 onion, diced 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 carrots, peeled and diced 2 carrots, peeled and diced
• 2 potatoes, peeled and diced 2 potatoes, peeled and diced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 cup (150g) frozen peas 1 cup (150g) frozen peas
• 4 cups (950ml) vegetable broth 4 cups (950ml) vegetable broth
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley, for garnish Fresh parsley, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 180 kcal / 753 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 6g, 1g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 28g, 7g
• Protein: 4g
• Fiber: 6g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2. 2.
   Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the pot and sauté until they become translucent.
3. 3.
   Add the diced carrots, potatoes, and red bell pepper to the pot. Sauté for a few minutes until the vegetables start to soften.
4. 4.
   Pour in the vegetable broth and bring it to a boil.
5. 5.
   Reduce the heat to low and add the frozen peas, dried thyme, and paprika. Simmer for about 20 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.
6. 6.
   Season with salt and pepper to taste.
7. 7.
   Serve the soup hot, garnished with fresh parsley.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Potatoes — Make sure to dice the potatoes into small, uniform pieces to ensure even cooking.
• Red bell pepper — For a smoky flavor, you can roast the red bell pepper before dicing it and adding it to the soup.

Tips & Tricks

• For a creamier texture, you can blend a portion of the soup using an immersion blender before serving.
• Feel free to customize the vegetables based on what is in season or what you have on hand.
• Add a squeeze of lemon juice before serving to enhance the zesty flavors.
• Serve the soup with a dollop of sour cream or a sprinkle of grated cheese for added richness.
• This soup tastes even better the next day, so consider making a larger batch for leftovers.

Serving advice

Serve the Zesty Vegetable Soup as a comforting and satisfying main course. Pair it with crusty bread or a side salad for a complete meal.

Presentation advice

Garnish the soup with a sprinkle of fresh parsley to add a pop of color. Serve it in a rustic bowl to highlight the homemade and wholesome nature of the dish.