Description
Creamy vegetable soup blends garden-fresh ingredients into a comforting culinary masterpiece. Hearty seasonal vegetables merge with smooth cream, offering warmth and nourishment in each spoonful you’ll savor.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables:
- 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 1 medium potato, peeled and diced
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- 1 cup cauliflower florets
- 1 cup zucchini, diced
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Liquids and Fats:
- 4 cups (1 liter) vegetable or chicken broth
- ½ cup (120 milliliters) heavy cream or half-and-half
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or unsalted butter
Herbs, Spices, and Garnishes:
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Croutons or toasted bread
- Grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Initiate vegetable preparation by gently sautéing chopped onions, minced garlic, diced carrots, and sliced celery in a fragrant pool of olive oil or melted butter over medium heat, allowing the aromatics to soften and release their delicate flavors for approximately 5-7 minutes.
- Introduce diced potato, broccoli florets, cauliflower chunks, and zucchini pieces into the pot, stirring carefully to integrate the vegetables and develop a harmonious blend of textures and flavors for 2-3 minutes.
- Cascade vegetable broth into the pot, adding fresh thyme sprigs and a single bay leaf. Elevate the mixture to a vigorous boil, then immediately reduce to a gentle simmer, covering the pot and allowing the vegetables to tenderize and meld together for 18-20 minutes.
- Extract the bay leaf and transform the soup’s consistency using an immersion blender, creating a silky smooth texture. For those preferring a rustic approach, selectively blend a portion of the soup to maintain some vegetable integrity.
- Luxuriously incorporate heavy cream, whisking gently to create a velvety finish. Season meticulously with salt and freshly ground black pepper, adjusting the flavors to personal preference. Warm the soup delicately without allowing it to reach a boiling point.
- Present the soup in elegant bowls, adorning with a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley, crisp croutons, or a delicate shower of grated Parmesan cheese to enhance visual appeal and provide a delightful textural contrast.
Notes
- Select vegetables at peak freshness for maximum flavor and nutritional value.
- Choose a mix of colorful vegetables to create a vibrant and nutrient-dense soup.
- Use a high-powered immersion blender for the smoothest possible texture without transferring hot liquid between containers.
- When blending hot soup, remove the bay leaf first to prevent accidentally blending it into the mixture.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with low-fat milk or plant-based alternatives like coconut milk.
- Enhance protein content by adding cooked chicken, white beans, or tofu during the final simmering stage.
- Prevent cream separation by stirring gently and avoiding high heat when adding dairy components.
- Boost flavor complexity by roasting vegetables before adding them to the soup for deeper caramelized notes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 30mg