Hearty Summer Vegetable Soup … A flavorful summer vegetable soup bursting with the taste of fresh produce. This dish combines a vibrant medley of garden vegetables simmered in an aromatic broth with a bright hint of lemon and basil. Its rich texture and delicious taste make it a healthy and light option perfect for lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
- Olive oil: 1 tablespoon (extra virgin, plus more for drizzling)
- Onion: 1 medium (chopped)
- Garlic: 3 cloves (minced)
- Cherry tomatoes: ¾ cup (halved)
- Carrots: 8 ounces (peeled and diced)
- Zucchini: 8 ounces (diced)
- Potatoes: 8 ounces (peeled and diced)
- Green beans: 3.5 ounces (trimmed and cut)
- Vegetable broth: 3 cups (low sodium)
- Dried basil: ½ teaspoon
- Salt: 1 teaspoon
- Black pepper: a pinch
- Peas: 1 ¼ cups (fresh or frozen)
- Corn: 1 ¼ cups (fresh or frozen)
- Fresh basil leaves: ¼ cup (chopped)
- Lemon juice: 2 tablespoons
- Onion powder: 1 teaspoon (optional)
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté until softened, about 3 minutes.
- Stir in the garlic and cherry tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper. Cook for a few minutes. You can remove some of the cherry tomatoes to preserve their bright color and add them back later.
- Add the carrots, potatoes, zucchini, green beans, vegetable broth, and dried basil. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
- Remove the pot from the heat and let the soup cool slightly. Carefully transfer about 2 cups of the soup to a blender and process until smooth. Return the puréed mixture to the pot to create a thicker soup. (This step is optional.)
- Return the soup to low heat. Stir in the peas and corn. Simmer for 3 to 4 minutes, until the peas are tender.
- Turn off the heat. Stir in the fresh basil and lemon juice. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper, or lemon juice as needed.
- Serve the soup warm or at room temperature, drizzled with a little extra olive oil. Enjoy with crusty bread, if desired.
