Vegetable Soup

Ingredients

• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 1/2 cups chopped yellow onion (1 medium)
• 2 cups peeled and chopped carrots (about 5)
• 1 1/4 cups chopped celery (about 3)
• 4 cloves garlic , minced
• 4 (14.5 oz) cans low-sodium chicken broth* or vegetable broth
• 2 (14.5 oz) cans diced tomatoes (undrained)
• 3 cups peeled and 1/2-inch thick diced potatoes (from about 3 medium)
• 1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 2 bay leaves
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 1/2 cups chopped frozen or fresh green beans
• 1 1/4 cups frozen or fresh corn
• 1 cup frozen or fresh peas

Instructions

• Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. 
• Add onions, carrots, and celery and saute 4 minutes then add garlic and saute 30 seconds longer.
• Add in broth, tomatoes, potatoes, parsley, bay leaves, thyme and season with salt and pepper to taste*.
• Bring to a boil, then add green beans. 
• Reduce heat to medium-low, cover and simmer until potatoes are almst fully tender, about 20 – 30 minutes. 
• Add corn and peas and cook 5 minutes longer. Serve warm.

Notes

•  *For more flavor add in more dried herbs (or even triple the amount of thyme). Other good herbs to add include basil, oregano, marjoram, or Italian seasoning.
• **Another option to add more flavor is to use a homemade chicken stock or vegetable broth
• Optionally you can finish servings with grated parmesan and a splash of extra virgin olive oil.