The variations on this basic theme are endless. In winter, root vegetables, such as parsnips, turnips and swedes, make a grounding, warming soup base. In the summer, lighter greens may be substituted, along with fresh herbs. This is an easy soup to make for any number of people. For a stronger flavour, add one bay leaf per four people with the vegetables. The ingredients below are forone person; simply multiply them by the number of people you want to feed.
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Recipe per person
Ingredients
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50 g mixed vegetables (celery, courgettes, carrots, turnips, swede, potatoes)
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½ tablespoon oil or 7 g butter (optional)
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250 ml water
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sea salt or tamari to taste
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chopped parsley or coriander, to garnish (optional)
Method
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Clean the vegetables; dice or slice attractively.
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If liked, heat the oil or butter in a pan and sauté the mixed vegetables until they are slightly softened.
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Place the water in a large pan or soup pot and bring to the boil.
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Add the vegetables. Lower the heat, cover and simmer for 20 minutes.
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Season with tamari or sea salt, and serve garnished with chopped parsley or coriander.
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Variation:
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Blended Vegetable Soup:
After cooking, transfer the soup to a food processor or blender and puree it until smooth. Return it to the pan and heat through. Serve garnished with parsley or coriander.
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Hearty Vegetable Soup
Pulses maybe pre-soaked, added to the water and cooked until almost soft before adding the vegetables.
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Spring Vegetable Soup
For each person, add 25 g seasonal greens, such as sorrel, spinach, dandelion or watercress, or 3 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs, such as basil, fennel, dill or tarragon, to the soup before seasoning it. Cook for a further 5 minutes and then season with sea salt or tamari.
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Creamy Vegetable Soup
Replace some of the water with milk or soya milk. Do this towards the end of the cooking as milk/soya milk should not be boiled but only heated. Alternatively, add 1–2 tablespoons cream or yoghurt per person before serving.
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Creamy Vegan Soup
For each person, saute 1 tablespoon rolled oats with the chopped vegetables. This makes a light, creamy, nourishing soup.
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