Soup in 4 Steps

Things that make us want soup:

1. Feeling cold.
2. Feeling sick.
3. Feeling hungry. 

There are very few times when we're not in the mood for soup. Apart from being delish, soup is very easy to make. Just toss simple ingredients from your pantry into a pot and you'll end up with a fantastic and nutritious meal. Here's a formula for getting the soup that's right for you.

1

Start with a Base

Pick one or both. If using only tomatoes, you'll need to add a couple cups of water as well. Don't forget the extra water or broth if you plan to add lentils. [Learn how to make your own broth here]

Canned Tomatoes - Crushed or Diced

Low Sodium Broth

2

Choose Your Vegetables

Fresh or frozen (and thawed) work best, but you can also use canned. Be sure to drain and rinse canned veggies to cut back on added salt.

3

Add Protein (If You Like!)

Beans, lentils, or even leftover cooked chicken work well. Drain and rinse canned beans before adding. For each cup of lentils you use, add 3 cups water or broth.

4

Top with Herbs & Spices

Add a bit of dried or fresh oregano, a little cumin, or a couple teaspoons of garlic powder. Flavor is easy to add with herbs and spices. It's all up to you! 

Oregano

Parsley

Thyme

Putting it together:

1. Toss all ingredients into a large pot and bring to a boil.
2. Turn heat to low and simmer until vegetables are tender. This should take around 30 - 45 minutes for fresh vegetables. Canned vegetables will only need to be heated through.
3. Add in leftover cooked pasta, brown rice, or other grains, if you'd like.

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Just want a soup recipe? These will get you started:

Crock Pot Vegetable Lentil Stew

Chicken Soup

Spanish Chickpea Stew