A New Soup Every Day! Recipe

Prepare vegetables

Heat a medium pot over medium heat. Add olive oil and when shimmering add the diced onion, carrot, and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, about 5–7 minutes.

Add garlic and season

Add minced garlic and cook 30–45 seconds until fragrant. Stir in salt, black pepper, and the bay leaf.

Build the soup

Pour in the vegetable broth and water, scraping up any brown bits from the bottom. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium-high heat.

Add tomatoes and beans

Once the base is simmering, add the diced tomatoes with their juices and the drained cannellini beans. Simmer gently for 8–10 minutes so flavors meld and beans heat through.

Finish with greens and herbs

Stir in the chopped spinach and cook 1–2 minutes until wilted. Turn off heat, stir in lemon juice and chopped parsley. Adjust salt and pepper to taste and remove the bay leaf.

Serve

Ladle into bowls. If desired, finish each bowl with a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil, a sprinkle of red pepper flakes, and grated Parmesan or nutritional yeast. Serves 1–2 (Small).

Add tomatoes and starch

When the base is simmering, add the diced tomatoes with their juices and the uncooked pasta or rice. Stir, cover partially, and simmer according to the pasta/rice package instructions (usually 8–12 minutes for small pasta, 15–20 minutes for rice) until tender. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and add additional water or broth 1/2 cup at a time if the soup becomes too thick.

Add protein and peas

When the pasta or rice is nearly done, stir in the cooked shredded chicken or tofu and the frozen peas. Simmer 3–4 minutes until heated through and the peas are tender.

Finish with basil and season

Remove the pot from heat, stir in the fresh basil. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and more broth or water if needed. Remove the bay leaf.

Serve

Ladle into bowls and finish with a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil, a sprinkle of grated Parmesan or nutritional yeast, and red pepper flakes if desired. Serves 4 (Large).

For both versions, offer grated cheese or nutritional yeast, extra-virgin olive oil, and red pepper flakes at the table so each diner can finish to taste.