Simplify. If I had to choose one word as my intention for the new year, simplify would be that one word. It all started after listening to this one episode of The Lively Show podcast where she interviews Dana, author of one of my favorite food blogs – Minimalist Baker. I was so inspired by how her life changed after deciding to simplify her life and live with less. The episode that had me cleaning out my closet and rethinking my wardrobe was with Caroline of Un-Fancy. Both of these interviews were on my mind while Will and I spent the last month or two paring down our belongings to fit into our new one bedroom apartment. As 2015 begins, I am feeling a bit lighter.
The concept of simplicity translates into diet as well. I feel one of the best ways to approach a healthy diet is to simplify it. Begin by cleaning out all the junk so that you have room for the wholesome stuff. Simple foods made from whole, unprocessed ingredients are best. This hearty vegetable and white bean soup is a great example of a simple, healthy dish. Lots of vegetables are combined with a few cans of basic pantry staples and you have a hearty dish to warm you up on the coldest of days. Root vegetables and kale provide a healthy dose of vitamins A, E, and K while beans fill you up with protein and fiber. Who says comfort food has to be laden in cheese or cream sauce?
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Warm up with a bowl of this hearty vegetable and white bean soup loaded with good for you nutrients.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3 carrots, chopped
- 2 stalks celery, chopped
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 red skin potatoes, chopped
- 2 parsnips, chopped
- 2 quarts (64 oz.) vegetable broth
- 1 (14 oz.) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (6 oz.) can tomato paste
- 1 dried bay leaf
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small bunch lacinato kale, chopped
- 1 (15 oz.) can great Northern beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 tablespoon dried parsley
- Salt and ground black pepper to taste
- Shredded parmesan cheese for serving
Instructions
- In a large stock pot, melt the butter.
- Add 1 of the chopped carrots, 1 stalk chopped celery, and the onion. Stir and cook for 5-7 minutes or until onion is translucent.
- Add the rest of the carrots and celery, potatoes, and parsnips. Stir to coat in butter. Let cook for 5 minutes.
- Add the broth, tomatoes, tomato paste, bay leaf, and thyme. Bring to a simmer and continue to stir every 5 minutes or so. Simmer soup for ~20-25 minutes or until vegetables begin to soften.
- Stir in garlic, kale, beans, and parsley. Season with salt and black pepper. Simmer another 5-7 minutes.
- Serve hot with shredded parmesan cheese.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ~1 Cup
- Calories: 382 kcals
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 975 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 72 g
- Fiber: 15 g
- Protein: 14.8 g
- Cholesterol: 13 mg
This soup looks amazing! I love the idea of adding parsnips to a vegetable soup. I’ll have to try this!
Currently battling a cold-your soup looks amazing and so comforting! Love what you say about simplifying your diet-I whole heartedly agree 100%! Wishing you a healthy, happy, joyous New Year!
This looks delicious. Hello dinner some night in the very soon future…
yum! this is totally perfect for a chilly winter day like today!
Can’t wait to try this!
Thanks for the recipe – I totally agree with simplifying things…especially in the kitchen. I like soups because a lot of the ingredients you can chop in advance so it makes for less hectic meal preparation.
Can anyone tell me what is: ” 2 quarter vegetable broth”??? Something is missing from this ingredient listing.
Thanks.
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Hi Sally,
That should actually say “2 quarts vegetable broth”! I’ve corrected it in the recipe above. Thanks for pointing it out!
Thanks for the recipe β it sounds very heartyβ¦I’ll try it tonight π
Cheers Paul
★★★★★