Simple yet Delicious: A Guide to Making Classic Vegetable Soup

Looking for a comforting and nutritious meal that can be enjoyed by the whole family? Try making vegetable soup! This versatile dish is perfect for cold winter days when you want something warm and satisfying. Below, we provide a simple recipe with clear instructions along with detailed cooking times and number of servings.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 3 carrots, sliced
• 4 celery sticks, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 8 cups vegetable broth
• 1 can (15 ounces) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt to taste
• Ground black pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped for garnish (optional)

Cooking Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients

1. Begin by preheating your pot or large saucepan to medium heat. Add olive oil to the pot and allow it to warm up slightly.
2. In a separate bowl, prepare all remaining ingredients as listed above. Ensure that vegetables are washed and sliced according to size needed for the soup base.

Step 2: Sautéing Vegetables

3. Add chopped onions into your preheated pot. Sauté until they become translucent, approximately 5 minutes.
4. Add carrots and celery to the same pot. Stir well to combine with the onions and continue cooking for another 7-8 minutes or until vegetables are tender but not overcooked.
5. Once done, add minced garlic into your mixture. Stir continuously for about a minute while allowing garlic flavors to infuse into the vegetable base.

Step 3: Add Broth and Beans

4. Pour in the vegetable broth once the vegetables are ready. Bring everything to a boil and let it simmer for about 15-20 minutes or until flavors have melded together nicely.
5. Add drained and rinsed cannellini beans to the pot along with dried thyme. Stir gently before reducing heat back down to low setting to continue cooking another 3-4 minutes until soup reaches desired consistency.

Step 4: Seasoning and Serving

5. Add salt, black pepper, or any other preferred seasonings according to taste. Taste before adjusting further if needed.
6. Remove from heat once satisfied with flavor profile and let it rest for a few minutes so flavors can meld together even more.

Serving Suggestions:

• Garnish bowls of soup with fresh parsley to give an extra burst of freshness if desired.
• Serve hot with crusty bread or garlic toast on the side for a complete meal experience.
• This vegetable soup can also be paired alongside some grilled chicken breasts for a heartier option.

Cooking Time: Total time to prepare this dish is around 35-40 minutes. Preparing ingredients and chopping vegetables will take about 10-12 minutes; cooking the soup mixture takes approximately 25 minutes once everything has been combined.

Servings: This recipe yields enough vegetable soup for 6 servings, perfect to share among friends or family members during a cozy dinner gathering!