Cozy Evening Low Fat Soup (Printable)
Warm vegetable blend full of flavor and low in fat, ideal for a cozy evening meal.
# List of ingredients:
→ Vegetables
01 - 1 medium onion, diced
02 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
03 - 2 medium carrots, sliced
04 - 2 celery stalks, sliced
05 - 1 medium zucchini, diced
06 - 1 cup green beans, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
07 - 1 cup baby spinach, roughly chopped
→ Broth & Flavorings
08 - 5 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
09 - 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
10 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
11 - 1 teaspoon dried basil
12 - 1 bay leaf
13 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ Optional Garnishes
14 - Juice of 1/2 lemon, for brightness
15 - Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
# Steps:
01 - In a large soup pot, heat a splash of water or broth over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic, sauté for 2–3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
02 - Add carrots, celery, zucchini, and green beans to the pot. Cook for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, to begin softening the vegetables.
03 - Pour in the vegetable broth and diced tomatoes with their juice. Stir in thyme, basil, and bay leaf. Mix well to combine all ingredients.
04 - Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes, or until vegetables are tender and flavors have melded together.
05 - Add the spinach and cook for 2 minutes, until just wilted. Remove and discard the bay leaf.
06 - Season with salt, pepper, and lemon juice if using. Ladle into bowls, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve hot.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Its incredibly forgiving, you can use whatever vegetables are languishing in your crisper drawer
- The broth develops such depth without any cream or butter, proving that comfort food does not have to be heavy
02 -
- Simmering uncovered helps the soup develop a more concentrated flavor, but keep an eye on it and add more broth if it reduces too much
- The soup tastes even better the next day, giving the flavors time to marry and deepen
03 -
- Cut all your vegetables into similar sized pieces so they cook evenly and you get a nice mix in every spoonful
- Letting the soup cool slightly before refrigerating prevents it from developing that odd warmed-over flavor