Nourishing Winter Veggie Soup (Printable Version)

A hearty blend of winter vegetables and quinoa simmered in a soothing broth for cold days.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
02 - 1 medium onion, diced
03 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
04 - 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
05 - 2 celery stalks, sliced
06 - 1 medium parsnip, peeled and diced
07 - 1 small sweet potato, peeled and diced
08 - 1 cup chopped kale or Swiss chard, stems removed
09 - 1 cup chopped cabbage
10 - 1 cup diced tomatoes, canned or fresh

→ Grains & Legumes

11 - 1/2 cup rinsed quinoa

→ Broth & Seasonings

12 - 6 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
13 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
14 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
15 - 1 bay leaf
16 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
17 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley for garnish
18 - Juice of 1/2 lemon, optional

# How To Make It:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add diced onion and minced garlic; sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until fragrant and translucent.
02 - Add sliced carrots, celery, diced parsnip, and sweet potato to the pot. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally.
03 - Stir in chopped kale or Swiss chard, chopped cabbage, and diced tomatoes. Cook for an additional 2 minutes.
04 - Add rinsed quinoa, low-sodium vegetable broth, dried thyme, dried oregano, bay leaf, salt, and black pepper. Bring mixture to a boil.
05 - Reduce heat to low, cover, and let simmer for 25 to 30 minutes until vegetables are tender and quinoa is fully cooked.
06 - Remove bay leaf. Stir in chopped fresh parsley and optional lemon juice. Adjust seasoning as needed. Serve hot.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • This soup transforms humble vegetables into something that feels like a warm embrace on the coldest days
  • The quinoa thickens the broth just enough while adding complete protein that keeps you satisfied for hours
02 -
  • I learned the hard way that skipping the quinoa rinse step results in an unpleasant soapy flavor that ruins the whole pot
  • The soup continues to thicken as it sits so the broth may look thinner than you expect when you first finish cooking
03 -
  • Use a wide pot rather than a tall narrow one so more liquid evaporates and the soup develops richer flavor
  • Wait until the very end to add salt since the broth reduces and concentrates as it simmers
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