To prepare a delicious vegetable soup, we start with an essential ingredient: tomatoes. They are blanched for 20 seconds in boiling water, a process that helps remove the skin, resulting in a smoother texture. After the tomatoes have been removed from boiling, we carefully peel them and cut them into smaller pieces, preparing them to be integrated into the soup.
Meanwhile, we prepare the rest of the vegetables, which will add extra flavor to our dish. The onion, carrots, bell pepper, and celery are finely chopped and sautéed over low heat in a pan with olive oil and a little salt. This step is crucial, as sautéing the vegetables helps develop the flavors. We let the vegetables caramelize for 5-10 minutes, until the onion becomes golden and translucent. Then, we add the finely chopped garlic, which will bring an unmistakable aroma to the soup. After the garlic has been sautéed for 5 minutes, it is time to add the previously prepared tomatoes, along with a splash of vinegar for an extra touch of acidity.
We let the mixture simmer for 10 minutes, allowing the ingredients to combine and reveal their flavors. After this time, we add vegetable broth, with the amount varying between 1 and 1.2 liters, depending on everyone’s preferences. If you want a thicker soup, it is recommended to use less liquid and more vegetables.
Don’t forget the celery leaf, which is added whole to provide a subtle taste. After adding the chopped thyme, pepper, and other favorite spices, we let the soup simmer on low heat for 15 minutes. Now, our soup is almost ready!
To give it a more appealing look and intensified flavor, the soup is served hot or cold, adding a topping of fresh basil leaves. These are crushed well in a mortar together with a little coarse salt and olive oil until the basil becomes a fragrant paste. This paste is added on top of the soup directly in the bowl, creating a pleasant contrast of flavors and colors that will delight any gourmet. This simple yet flavorful recipe is perfect for chilly days, bringing comfort and health in every bowl!
Meanwhile, we prepare the rest of the vegetables, which will add extra flavor to our dish. The onion, carrots, bell pepper, and celery are finely chopped and sautéed over low heat in a pan with olive oil and a little salt. This step is crucial, as sautéing the vegetables helps develop the flavors. We let the vegetables caramelize for 5-10 minutes, until the onion becomes golden and translucent. Then, we add the finely chopped garlic, which will bring an unmistakable aroma to the soup. After the garlic has been sautéed for 5 minutes, it is time to add the previously prepared tomatoes, along with a splash of vinegar for an extra touch of acidity.
We let the mixture simmer for 10 minutes, allowing the ingredients to combine and reveal their flavors. After this time, we add vegetable broth, with the amount varying between 1 and 1.2 liters, depending on everyone’s preferences. If you want a thicker soup, it is recommended to use less liquid and more vegetables.
Don’t forget the celery leaf, which is added whole to provide a subtle taste. After adding the chopped thyme, pepper, and other favorite spices, we let the soup simmer on low heat for 15 minutes. Now, our soup is almost ready!
To give it a more appealing look and intensified flavor, the soup is served hot or cold, adding a topping of fresh basil leaves. These are crushed well in a mortar together with a little coarse salt and olive oil until the basil becomes a fragrant paste. This paste is added on top of the soup directly in the bowl, creating a pleasant contrast of flavors and colors that will delight any gourmet. This simple yet flavorful recipe is perfect for chilly days, bringing comfort and health in every bowl!
Ingredients
4-5 large ripe tomatoes, 1 red onion, 2 slices of celery, 1 green/red bell pepper, etc. 2 cloves of garlic, salt, pepper, olive oil, red or balsamic vinegar, 1-2 liters, 2 handfuls of fresh basil, celery leaves, fresh thyme, finely chopped, 1 liter of vegetable broth.