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Scrumptious Soup Recipe Template 101 - Stovetop Version

Delicious DIY soups are easy to make. This is my template for a simple robust veggie soup. We can start with basic ingredients + make substitutions as we experiment. The sky's the limit.

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoon Olive oil or another good oil such as avocado or coconut
  • 2 medium Onions chopped
  • 1-8 cloves Garlic experiment! minced
  • 2-4 stalks Celery chopped
  • 4-6 cups Broth veggie, bone, chicken (best quality possible)
  • 'main' vegetable *** example below:
  • 1 whole cauliflower OR
  • 1 bunch broccoli OR
  • 4-6 cups veggies eg. Squash, Potato, Leeks, chopped
  • 1 cup supporting vegetables (if using)+++
  • aromatic herbs dried
  • aromatic additions
  • aromatic herbs fresh

Instructions

  1. Add olive oil to a large stainless steel (or other non-reactive) pot on the stove on medium heat.
  2. Add onions to the pot when the oil is hot, and stir often for 4-5 minutes.
  3. Add the celery, mix into the onions and stir occasionally for another few minutes.
  4. Add ½ the garlic, and lower the heat a little.
  5. Add the broth and combine with a quick stir
  6. Add the main veggie to the pot, turn down the heat to simmer and add the lid to the pot.

  7. Add some aromatic herbs if desired, now, or wait until later. Some folks like to season all the way along. ^^

  8. After 15 minutes, remove the lid and use a fork to test the veggie for done-ness.
  9. If the fork slides in/out easily, leave the lid off the pot and turn off the heat.
  10. Remove the pot from the hot burner and use a hand-held (immersion)blender
  11. to puree the contents of the pot. (if no immersion blender, see below)
  12. After the soup has reached your desired consistency, (i.e. totally smooth or slightly chunky, your choice)
  13. add the remaining garlic and your chosen aromatic herbs, other aromatic ingredients plus
  14. sea salt/black pepper to taste. Just add a little at a time as we can adjust the salt level later.
  15. The 'seasoning' step can be as simple as S & P with a smidge or two of hot pepper flakes or your favourite herb blend (e.g. Italian herbs, French "herbes de provence", curry powder etc) or more complex.
  16. Place soup pot back on the heat and allow to simmer for another 10-20 minutes. This allows for these latest additions to mellow into the veggies. Taste again and adjust.

Recipe Notes

Sometimes, you may proclaim a deliciousness achieved right at this point, and other days, it may feel like 'mmm there's something missing'.. 
When this happens, depending upon the soup I am making, I may add juice of ½ lemon and then toss the lemon into the pot too. Coconut aminos or tamari can add some 'umami' to the mixture. I will share a list of these flavour option 'heroes' at the end.

 

+++ Sometimes supportive or complementary veggies can be added to help create a thicker soup if desired. I rarely feel the need to do this but I am wanting to share ideas in case a thickener is needed. Add sweet potato or a regular 'tater' to the soup pot and these starchy veggies can make a difference. No need for cream or other dairy ingredient unless you want to add. There's something to be said for cream in a soup. I rarely use dairy in my soups but there are wonderful classic soups which do indeed include dairy.