Vegetable Soup

A recent trip to Costco awakened me to the once ridiculous sounding possibility of my children eating salad with stinky cheese, mayo enhanced albacore on crackers and smokey chipotle sauce on cream cheese slathered crackers. Yes, all of those foods sound like the absolute dead last thing a four-year-old would say yum to, but not if the cute Granny at Costco serves it with a smile and a my aren't you cute? 

Then its all new, fresh and oh, so yummy! And can I have more? And yes, please I'll try (and inhale) that chicken, bacon and ceasar stuffed piece of bread. Hey, I'll take the unexpected inspiration and run, no sprint to the dinner table with new weeknight meals like this fast and easy pot of Vegetable Soup full of fiber, flavor and freshness! So, yes, it's true Costco officially inspired this bowl of soup. Thank you, Costco. No, they're not paying me to say that, but wouldn't that be great? Call me, Costco. 

Tell me… Where do you find inspiration? Not only in the kitchen, but in life!

Printable Recipe Here

Vegetable Soup

3 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, diced
3 ribs celery, sliced 1/4" thick
5 carrots, sliced 1/4" thick
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups vegetable, chicken or beef broth
2 small yukon gold potatoes, diced, skin on
1 small sweet potato, diced, skin on
2 cups marinara sauce
1 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes, with juice
1 14.5 ounce beans (garbanzo, black-eyed peas, great northern)
1 cup green beans
1/2 cup edamame beans
1 bay leaf
1/2 teaspoon each dried rosemary, thyme and oregano
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup fresh basil or pesto sauce

Heat olive oil in a large kettle over moderate heat. Add onion, celery, and carrots - season with salt and pepper, stir and let soften with a lid slightly ajar (to speed up the process) for about 10 minutes. Stir occasionally. Stir in garlic and cook for about a minute more. 

Pour in broth and add in both types of potatoes. Cover and bring up to a simmer for an additional 10 minutes or until potatoes are softened. Stir in marinara sauce, diced tomatoes, all the beans, herbs and additional salt and pepper. Simmer for an hour or so. At the end of the cooking time stir in the basil or pesto and season with additional salt and pepper.