Soup in 4 Steps

Things that make me want soup:

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

There are very few times when I'm not in the mood for soup, it seems... I've become a pro soup-builder. Apart from being delish, it's so easy to throw what I have in a pot and end up with a fantastic and nutritious meal. Here's how I do it.

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.

Canned Tomatoes - Crushed or Diced

Low Sodium Broth

2

Choose your veggies.

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'd 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 it off with herbs and 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, and it's 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 for 30 min (or longer if using fresh vegetables, until they are tender).
3. Add in leftover cooked pasta, rice, or other grains, if you'd like.

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Just want a regular recipe? Here you go:

Crock Pot Vegetable Lentil Stew

Chicken Soup

Spanish Chickpea Stew