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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.

Equipment

  • Large soup pot, non reactive materials
  • Wooden Spoon
  • Cutting boards
  • Immersion blender or regular jar blender

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

  • Add olive oil to a large stainless steel (or other non-reactive) pot on the stove on medium heat.
  • Add onions to the pot when the oil is hot, and stir often for 4-5 minutes.
  • Add the celery, mix into the onions and stir occasionally for another few minutes.
  • Add ½ the garlic, and lower the heat a little.
  • Add the broth and combine with a quick stir
  • Add the main veggie to the pot, turn down the heat to simmer and add the lid to the pot.
  • Add some aromatic herbs if desired, now, or wait until later. Some folks like to season all the way along. ^^
  • After 15 minutes, remove the lid and use a fork to test the veggie for done-ness.
  • If the fork slides in/out easily, leave the lid off the pot and turn off the heat.
  • Remove the pot from the hot burner and use a hand-held (immersion)blender
  • to puree the contents of the pot. (if no immersion blender, see below)
  • After the soup has reached your desired consistency, (i.e. totally smooth or slightly chunky, your choice)
  • add the remaining garlic and your chosen aromatic herbs, other aromatic ingredients plus
  • sea salt/black pepper to taste. Just add a little at a time as we can adjust the salt level later.
  • 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.
  • 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.

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.