Fast & Easy Creamy Vegetable Soup. Green & White Veggies

Sonia #2's Note:

This soup is great for people who don’t eat enough veggies; in one bowl you get your vegetable portions needed for a healthy diet. I got this recipe from a cooking book but changed it so that it is more healthy and creamy. I love cream soups but hate the amount of fat in them. I guess you could add some cream in there but I have never tried it. The ingredient amounts are approximations. If you don't have any cauliflower, spinach or asparagus, it won't make a big difference to the recipe. Just play with this recipe and add more green or white veggies of your choice. If you do decide to add more vegetables, no need to alter the stock amount, the soup will just be ticker and creamier. If you decide to make a 5 bowls portion instead of 10 bowls, you still need to put 12 oz of broccoli and 1 potato. The rest of the ingredients you can cut the amount in half. Enjoy!

• Total Time: 30 mins
• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 20 mins

Ingredients:

Yield: 10 bowls

• 12 ounces broccoli
• 2 leeks
• 1 ½ cups celery , sliced
• 3 garlic cloves , crushed
• 1 potato , diced
• 8 cups vegetable stock
• 1 ½ cups cauliflower
• 1 cup spinach
• 1 cup asparagus , sliced
• 2 bay leaves
• black pepper
• crusty bread , to serve
• 15 croutons , to serve

Directions:

1. Cut the broccoli into florets and set aside.
2. Cut the thicker broccoli stalks into 1/2 inches pieces. Put into a large pan. Add all of the other ingredients (beside the broccoli florets, black pepper and bread/croutons).
3. As soon as it starts to boil, reduce heat, cover and let simmer for 15 minutes.
4. Add the broccoli florets to the soup. Increase heat. Again, as soon as it starts to boil, reduce heat, cover and let simmer for an extra 3-5 minutes or until potato and broccoli stalks are tender.
5. Remove from heat and let the soup cool. Remove and throw away the bay leaves.
6. Transfer soup in a food processor or blender until the texture becomes smooth and creamy.
7. Return the soup to pan and heat. Add pepper to taste. Serve with bread or croutons.