Update! I just hopped on the Twitter bandwagon. I can’t believe I did it. I feel like I’m 84 yrs old and devoid of any technological knowledge because I don’t know how to use it. However, if you’d like to find out what I’m doing (and baking) every, single minute of every, single day, you can follow me here. :)
In order to get in more veggies, I threw this veggie soup together. I actually made it last week, but I loved it and was able to eat veggies everyday. Score!
It hasn’t worked out so well this week since the rest of the soup is frozen. I may need to dig it out of the freezer tonight.
When I made this I was craving soup, wasn’t really feeling like meat, and wanted a thick and hearty meal.
I grabbed a bunch of veggies from my fridge and chopped ‘em up.
Yes, I do have SOME veggies in my fridge, contrary to popular belief. I used 1 potato just to give the soup some starch.
Near the end I added 2 frozen bags of corn and peas.
But first, here are all the chopped veggies in the pot.
I dumped in an entire can of petite diced tomatoes.
And a few small cans of V8.
I guess V8 was made for people who had a difficult time getting their veggies in. Well, what about us veggie-haters that have time to get their veggies in? Why not make V8 to taste like chocolate milk? Or better yet – rum. Yes. That is what I need. Vegetable Rum.
For some bulk and a bit of protein I added in some beans.
We have lentils.
And cannellini beans.
My husband even loved this soup. Surprising, since it didn’t have any meat in it. He did need to incorporate an entire leg of lamb a few slices of chicken to the meal, so it felt like a man’s meal. Along with a few manly grunts.
And other gross, manly sounds. I’ll spare you the details.
Along with the V8, I added an entire carton of organic vegetable stock and about 5 cups of water.
I also added about 1/2 cup of whole wheat orzo.
I love orzo. I have another great recipe to post soon for orzo.
I let it simmer for about 2 hours, and it became nice and thick.
It almost seemed like there was meat in the dish. It runs a close second to Mother Lovett’s ham and bean soup that is truly AH MAY ZING.
Don’t you just love eating soup when you know EXACTLY what goes into it? No sodium bloat afterwards, no artificial tastes. Delish.
Hearty Veggie Soup
1/2 sweet onion, chopped
2 leeks, chopped
1/4 head red cabbage, chopped
15 baby carrots, chopped
3 celery stalks, chopped
1 potato, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp olive oil
1 large can petite diced tomatoes
3 – 5oz cans V8 Juice
1 – 20 oz carton organic vegetable stock
1 1/2 cups lentils
1 can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 -1 cup whole wheat orzo pasta
1 bag frozen peas
1 bag frozen corn
5-6 cups water
1 tablespoon smoked paprika (my love!!)
1 teaspoon thyme
salt & pepper to taste
Add olive oil to large soup pot on medium heat. Add chopped veggies and a pinch of salt, stirring occasionally for about 5 minutes. Add can of diced tomatoes and stir. Add organic vegetable stock and V8 juice and let simmer for 5 minutes. Add in lentils, cannellini beans and 2 cups water. Stir. Add in orzo, frozen peas and corn. Add in rest of water, smoked paprika, and salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for 2 hours.
Easy peasy!
Isn’t this just screaming ‘make me! make me!?’
Please make me.
I’m Jessica and this is where I share my stuff. You will find a balance of healthy recipes, comfort food and indulgent desserts.
Mmm, that sounds good! Also, can’t help you with vegetable rum, but they do make vegetable vodka. It’s called a Bloody Mary! ;-)
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That looks so good!! I love veggie soups–and anything with lentils!!
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This looks great!
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Just stumbled across you blog! My name is also Jess and I am also from Pittsburgh! I am in grad school in Virginia though, so don’t worry I am not taking your identity! Glad to find your blog! :-)
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That sounds great! I’m so glad to know there’s whole wheat orzo. I’ll have to keep my eye out for that.
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Now that is MMMMM GOOD!!!
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Holy cow, that IS some heart y vegetable soup! I love the idea of using V8 as part of the broth, yum!
I’m gonna follow you on Twitter. Welcome!
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Yay, I’ll follow you! (I’m LesleyG on Twitter.)
On another note, I seriously need to get into lentils. There’s no reason to be scared, I even like them, I just haven’t cooked them. How odd is that?!
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That soup looks soooo good! What a great way to incorporate a ton of veggies into one meal!
- Beth @ http://www.DiningAndDishing.com
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good lord homemade veggie soup is good! i just had soup for lunch :-)
and i’m following you on twitter
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veggie rum needs to be invented soon but until then, veggie soup will do :) look yum!
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you dont have to ask me twice to make this hearty and healthy soup!!
you are such a great cook, jess!!!
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YUM! Looks so good. Love the addition of orzo (which is just incredible in soups and stews). Hooray for veggie’s ;)
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No, I cannot… I mustn’t go tweet! I don’t have time. But it sure is tempting. :D
That soup looks delish! I made Vegetable Beef soup tonight. It was perfect for this cold, rainy night in Tennessee. :)
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lol I just joined twitter too…. now clue on how it works!
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LOL Vegetable Rum. I’d need Veggie Vodka aka Bloody Mary as previously mentioned. Rum makes my back hurt :(. The soup looks great!
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Jessica — October 14th, 2009 @ 2:38 pm
I can eat veggies like this in soup form! :)
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Glad to see you on twitter :)
That veggie soup looks yummy!
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this looks so satisfying, natural and fresh. yummmmmmy!
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Wow this looks great! I love veggies, but I’d still eat this soup in addition :)
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Looks great. Now does this make you like veggies???
dishin.wordpress.com
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I’m behind on my life right now, so please excuse the late comment. This looks yummy! We recently had a carrot soup that was very good, and I was reminded of how much I love a good soup. Thanks for posting yours!
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I just have to say, that I have made this soup twice now…..and roasting a chicken now! what a wonderful blog you have!! Thank you for the recipes — I am in love with this soup — I don’t have a huge pot, so did not add any water — and added 2 Tablespoons paprika, 1 Tablespoon thyme, and salt and pepper — soo thick and flavorful and LOTS of leftovers.
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Thanks hun! But I definitely have room for improvement. :)
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