Description
Hearty Winter Warmer Soup blends comforting flavors from classic European traditions. Rustic ingredients and simple techniques create a nourishing meal you’ll savor with each spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 cups (1.5 liters) vegetable or chicken broth
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 medium potatoes, diced
- 1 cup butternut squash, cubed
- 2 medium carrots, sliced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup (150 grams) cooked or canned chickpeas (rinsed and drained)
- 1 cup (150 grams) cooked or canned white beans (rinsed and drained)
- ½ cup (75 grams) pearl barley or orzo pasta (optional, for a thicker soup)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- ½ tsp dried rosemary
- ¼ tsp chili flakes (optional, for a bit of heat)
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Aromatic Foundation: Heat olive oil in a large pot and sauté onions, garlic, carrots, and celery over medium heat until vegetables become translucent and release their fragrant essence, approximately 5-7 minutes.
- Spice Infusion: Add potatoes, butternut squash, paprika, thyme, rosemary, and chili flakes, stirring to coat vegetables and toast spices, enhancing their depth and complexity.
- Liquid Integration: Pour vegetable broth into the pot, bringing contents to a robust boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20-25 minutes until vegetables reach tender perfection.
- Protein and Texture Enhancement: Incorporate chickpeas, white beans, and barley, allowing ingredients to meld and absorb the soup’s rich, developed flavors for an additional 10-15 minutes.
- Final Flourish: Introduce kale or spinach during the last 3-4 minutes of cooking, letting greens wilt gently while preserving their vibrant color and nutritional integrity.
- Serving Presentation: Ladle soup into warm bowls, garnish with fresh parsley, and accompany with crusty artisan bread or crisp crackers for a complete, comforting winter meal.
Notes
- Select Fresh Produce: Choose vibrant, firm vegetables to ensure maximum flavor and nutritional density in your winter soup.
- Control Spice Intensity: Adjust chili flakes according to personal heat tolerance, gradually adding to achieve desired warmth without overwhelming the delicate vegetable flavors.
- Optimize Protein Balance: Experiment with different legume combinations like lentils or mixed beans to create varied protein profiles and enhance nutritional value.
- Enhance Texture Complexity: Toast barley or orzo briefly before adding to develop nutty undertones and prevent mushiness during cooking process.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 4 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg