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Thursday, December 2, 2010

Winter Vegetable Soup

Winter Tomato Soup 2

Living in South Florida can often cause for one to feel out of the loop. Well, at least in the world of all things culinary. While the rest of you seem to be enjoying winter squash, hearty soups and hot tea, I'm jumping into a cold shower followed by a large glass of ice tea to alleviate the discomfort of subtropical heat and humidity. Foods are also light, as the heat somehow suppresses even the most voracious of appetites.

Just yesterday though, Dearies, December 1st brought a cool breeze down over the subtropical hollow. Like clockwork, Old Man Winter decided to make himself present in South Florida. And like a good witch, I have honored his presence by pulling out my heavy knit sweater, putting a pot of herbal tea to boil, and I even baked some Christmas cookies. Shoot, Cauldron Boy was so happy he jumped out the door, smelled the crisp winter air, and howled at the moon!

But don't worry, I reminded him that he is a Cauldron Boy, not a werewolf. And then we ate this wonderful winter soup...

Winter Tomato Soup
Olive Oil-3/4-1 Tbsp.
1 Celery Stalk-sliced
2 Organic Carrots-peeled & sliced
3 Large Garlic Cloves-minced
1 1/2 Cups Green Beans-cut
1 Can Organic Garbanzo Beans
1 28 oz. Can Whole Organic Tomatoes
2 Sodium Free Vegetarian Bouillon*
4 Cups Water
1/3 Tsp. Rosemary Sprigs
1/2 Tsp. Onion Powder
1 1/2 Tsp. Fresh Ground Cumin
1/4 Tsp. Black Pepper
3/4 Tsp. Sea Salt

*Rapunzel brand salt free vegan bouillon is excellent. If you do use a bouillon with sodium, refrain from adding salt till you've tried the soup...

Place olive oil in a large soup pot and bring to medium heat. Once hot, place the celery in the pot. Allow to saute for about 45 seconds and then add the carrots and garlic. Saute for another 30 seconds. Pour in the water with the green beans, bouillon, onion powder, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, stir, and put the top on at an angle. Bring the heat to where the soup will be at a strong simmer but not a boil. Allow to simmer for 10 minutes.
After 10 minutes of strong simmering, add the tomatoes and cumin. Break the tomatoes down with a wood spoon, stir, and place the top on at an angle again. Allow to simmer for about 5 minutes. Then add the garbanzos and give them 5-7 more minutes of simmering with the top off this time. Adjust salt & pepper to taste...

Enjoy hot with crackers or grilled cheese!

62 comments:

  1. Stella, this soup sounds perfect for this time of year. We just had our first significant snowfall! I envy the warmth and brightness that you will be enjoying in the coming months, but I'm also glad to hear that, at least now and then, you're able to cozy up in a warm sweater and a bowl of hot soup with your Cauldron wolf. :-)

    By the way, I've never heard of Ecolissa before. But they have some gorgeous stuff! Thanks for opening my eyes.

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  2. Now that is a soup, Stella! Glad you had an opportunity to make such deliciousness down there in FL. We have ample opportunity up here, but ask me by February if I am happy about that!

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  3. I would trade your warm weather with our cold any day!!! Although, it would be hard to live without soup... good thing you had an opportunity to make this one! It looks delicious... love the long vibrant green string beans in it!

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  4. cool, tomato soup was my fave when i was a youngster, this is definately a more "grown up" version :)

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  5. Hey Stella - yes, the light in my photos is natural. We have two large south-facing windows, so unless it is a really rainy day, I get some good natural light. Sometimes it's too sunny, and then I tape some white napkins to the window to dull it down a little. I am seriously low-tech!
    I still struggle with photos, both composition and light-wise. It can be kind of hit or miss! Your pics look wonderful to me, every time!

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  6. Thanks, Carolyn! I'm going to try to figure out which side of my house is 'south facing'. I think my Cauldron Boy has mentioned that this is where I should be when taking photos??!

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  7. Hey Stella,

    The size of my eyes could've rivaled my son's when I saw the picture of your beautiful soup. Look at those wonderful colours. With the minus 25 degrees weather we were getting here the past week, this soup sure would've warm me up from head to toe. I also love that you added Garbonzo beans. I used to hate them when I was young, but now have grown a love for them. Wierd how your taste buds change as you grow older huh? I'll bet Cauldron Boy won't be the only one howling at the moon after I make this for my hungry hubby. I always appreciate how healthy all your recipes are. I know I never have to think twice about trying any of your recipes for my kiddies (all 3 of them ;-)). This sounds delicious, Stella!

    By the way, did you do something different on your site? I got your email notification of your post a lot earlier this time. Usually I don't get it till the next day. Hope you and Cauldron Boy are having a great week! Also hope you've got those computer troubles solved.

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  8. What a cute post, Stella. I know what you mean about "feeling out of the loop". I felt that way for the last 5 years when I was living in California. No longer though...now I'm in the Mid-west where it very much feels like winter. This soup looks so comforting and healthy, and I love the use of seasonal veggies. I'm glad Cauldon Boy like it too!

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  9. Hey LeQuanis! No, I didn't do anything different. Maybe there's just less blog traffic over the air waves today:) Maybe.
    Ooh, minus 25 degrees-yikes! I can't even imagine that. Hope you guys bundle up good. Yeah...
    By the way, I think this tomato soup would be excellent with some shrimp thrown in the pot during the last 3-4 minutes of cooking. That would be very LeQuanis-esque (smile).

    Thanks, Ms. Meanie! And I'm glad you don't feel out of the loop anymore. It's a weird feeling sometimes...(smile but seriously).

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  10. A delicious looking warming soup, I love all the healthy veggies in there and the addition of rosemary and cumin is terrific!

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  11. I often feel like we lose out on all the winter-inspired recipes here in Los Angeles! But lately things have been a bit cool so I'm enjoying my fair share of soups. And I will add this one to my rotation! It looks divine Stella!

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  12. As much as I love warm weather, there's something about snuggling into a thick jumper and diving into a bowl of hot soup... This soup sounds wonderful, like a tasty minestrone. Off now to get some fruit salad for breakfast (I'd rather have porridge though it's already 80 degrees outside)...

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  13. Oh Stell, you know me too well! Shrimpies would sound wonderful in this soup, but I wouldn't want to ruin such a wonderful veggie soup with my shrimp. I'd want to at least try it first without the shrimp in all it's pure veggie glory form. Maybe the 2nd or 3rd time I'd add my beloved shrimps, but I'd want to enjoy your version first.

    PS
    One more glass of rum over here please ;-) CHEERS to great veggie soups!

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  14. I wouldn't mind some of the subtropical heat blown in my direction, it's frozen land over here. But it's great that you could take a break away from the heat and enjoy such a delicious soup. I'm a soup fanatic and will even order it in the heat of summer. Veggie soups are always on the top of my list. Looks like I'm making soup this weekend:)

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  15. Healthy and Yummy!! It got cool last few days didn't it Stella? I felt the cold here in coastal GA, too! Lovely looking soup! :)

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  16. BRRRR, it's cold here! You are too funny, I would howl at the moon right now if I had Christmas cookies. By the way, you winter tomato soup looks delicious, I might even howl at the moon for a bowl of it;)

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  17. Green beans! I should try that next time I make a vegetable soup. Mine is very similar to yours but I put lentils instead of garbanzo beans in mine.
    I wish we were neighbors. I'd be over your house all the time to borrow a cup of spelt flour : ]

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  18. I could go for some of that Florida sunshine about now! But a change is always fun, so I'm glad you got to enjoy a hot soup and sweater day!

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  19. This soup looks like an epitome of comfort food, like a soup grandma woould make on a freezing day. Looks amazing

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  20. That is my kind of soup to come home to. Very tasty!!

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  21. Oh really? It is not really cold at your side? It is cold here but I can have your veg soup anytime - refreshing for summer, spring, comfort for fall, winter.

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  22. I'll send some chilly weather your way, Stella! Though I may want to hold onto it if it means that I get to eat more soup! I love garbanzo beans in my soup, but I don't usually think to add green beans. What a tasty combination.

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  23. I feel bad because it doesn't snow in San Francisco...but subtropical is another story altogether.
    The soup looks great for all types of weather - light yet hearty. And delicious I'm sure.

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  24. Stella you're missing your signature ribbons in these photos! ;] Glad that you got a cool day to make a nice hearty winter soup. Living in a mild climate does have its pluses and minuses doesn't it?

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  25. oh my gosh this looks and sound sooooo good, i know what im trying out this weekend, we have some super snow action in england so this will be a perfect winter warmer, thank you for sharing it.

    Zoe

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  26. Aaahhh soup huh, its always a winner to warm the bones & its probably a really nice change for you to dig into this sort of food. Do you get any winter at all in the Sth of Florida?

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  27. Love your Witchy Kitchen
    You hit it on the noseĆØ nothing beats a bowl of soup and a grill cheese whe it gers chilly; great looking recipe.
    Rita

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  28. A simple, but definitely delicious and healthy winter soup! I love it.

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  29. I'm smiling Stella, cause I've had soup two days running. Isn't it wonderful to cool down for a while???

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  30. Well, I do feel a little sorry for you that you can only enjoy this lovely soup once every now and then, but I'm happy you jumped from the cold shower to give us this soup...it looks wonderfully delicious and to rub in it a little further...it is snowing outside, cold and perfect for a comfy soup like ours!
    Merci et bisous!
    ronelle

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  31. Love this soup...loaded with goodies :)
    It is not as bad in S. California, more like Spring now...Nights and mornings are pretty chilly though, so soup is a go :)

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  32. For us here in Australia it's summer now, but this soup sounds so lovely I could have it any time of the year!

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  33. My eyes are open! People eat soup and wear sweaters in Florida? Seriously? I did not know this. You're supposed to be out tanning and eating sushi!

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  34. Perfect for a cold NYC winter. I could eat this every day for lunch and look forward to giving it a try!

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  35. Looks so delicious Stella! Stay warm, my dear!

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  36. What an adorable post...love your little tete-a-tete with cauldron boy! Love the soup even more- cumin and rosemary...sigh....

    Ciao, Devaki @ weaevthousandflavors

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  37. Great looking soup! Perfect for winter. Can't wait for our winter to try it out.

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  38. That soup is lovely! I remember that a friend of mine went to Florida last year and it was not very warm, quite frisky...

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  39. Marvelous soup, Stella. But...I want to hear more about the cookies! Does that move me straight to the naughty list?

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  40. I'd love to have a bowl of your soup (minus the celery) here - it looks so good! :)

    Like LeQuan, we have been having a real frost wave and temperatures as low as minus 20 C. Although the houses here are very warm and not affected by the weather, I seem to get cold just looking out the window...

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  41. i am so glad you're finally getting some seasonal weather! if you want I can spread some of the super cold winds from NYC. I truly don't want them anymore.

    This soup looks so warming and appealing!

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  42. All the lovely, healthy ingredients in there. Has to be good for any time :D Scotland is freezing. This soup would be most welcoming!

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  43. Know what you mean about feeling out of the culinary loop. It's relatively cool here, but not enough for heavy and hearty soups and stews that I'd love to indulge right now.

    Your soup doesn't look too heavy. Maybe it might "work" here.

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  44. Your soup looks and sounds delicious! It's cold here, 5" snow on the ground so it would be perfect for this weather!

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  45. I absolutely love garbanzo beans, I coo them overnight in the crockpot and eat them on salads and put them in everything....this recipes a keeper for me!

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  46. Stella this soup sounds wonderful! I would love a warming bowl of this along with some crusty bread, especially now that it is cold outside!

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  47. old man winter just hit here too!

    looks perfect for these frigid days!

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  48. The weather here is frightful--6 inches of snow! But this soup looks like just the thing. I LOVE winter vegetables!

    Thanks for posting this!

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  49. Old Man Winter definitely presented himself to us in the south. Winter Minestrone is the best way to warm-up and enjoy the cool weather.

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  50. You are too funny Stella :) I can't believe there is even a brand of salt called Rapunzel. Anyway, this soup looks and sounds fabulous especially in our cold, cold MN winters.

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  51. Winter in Florida? Really? Well you did capture the essence of the season even while residing in the tropics. My grandparents are in Palm Beach so I come down every so often to visit them. A good palm tree is hard to pass by. This soup looks bewitching and comforting!

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  52. Hey, we are feeling a winter chill here in San Diego, too! And we could totally curl up next to your soup! Looks amazing!

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  53. Oh Stella I feel ya, here in Texas our weekend was at 80's really...oh well hopefully we get cooler temps..but I would sweat and devour this wonderful soup. Oh cauldron boy..too funny!
    sweetlife
    have a great week..

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  54. Oh! This soup sure looks delicious...great vegetable soup for the cold weather :-)

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  55. I'm glad you got to enjoy a little bit of soup weather over your way. This looks so warm and comforting! :)

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  56. Oh dear! First of all, I envy you a little bit, with the nice Florida weather... I think I would enjoy living in an all-year sunny place :-)
    Your soup sounds lovely! Lots of good vegetables, great taste and the colour is fantastic! I could have a bowl right now!

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  57. I am knee high in snow in snowland Scotland. Your hot bowl of soup cupped around my hands would be so appreciated, esp. as it contains chickpeas.

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  58. OMG I love this type of soup Stella, look absolutely delicious, really I love soup everytime! huggs gloria

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  59. What a pretty bowl of soup. The herbs you've added sound great... as does the idea of enjoy it with grilled cheese. No wonder you've got Cauldron Boy howling :)

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  60. I would trade your warm weather with our cold any day, but no matter where I'm, south or north I'd definitely enjoy a bowl of your soup. I'm a big time soup lover.
    Thanks for sharing, hope you're having a great week

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Please do comment, Dearies!