Description
Alton Brown’s garden vegetable soup combines fresh seasonal produce with hearty herbs and spices for a nutritious meal. Simple ingredients and quick preparation make this recipe a comforting choice you’ll enjoy preparing and savoring.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 tbsps olive oil
- 2 ears corn, kernels removed
- 2 cups fresh green beans, broken or cut into ¾-inch pieces
- 4 cups tomatoes, peeled, seeded, and chopped
- 2 cups carrots, peeled and chopped into rounds (approx 2 medium)
- 2 cups leeks, white part only, chopped (from approx 3 medium leeks)
- 2 cups potatoes, peeled and diced
- 2 tbsps garlic, finely minced
- 2 quarts (1.89 L) chicken or vegetable broth
- ¼ cup fresh parsley leaves, packed, chopped
- ½ tsp black pepper, freshly ground
- 1–2 tsp lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- Kosher salt to taste
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: Warm olive oil in a stockpot over medium-low heat, then gently sauté garlic, leeks, and salt until softened and fragrant, releasing their delicate essence.
- Layer Vegetables: Add carrots, potatoes, and green beans to the aromatic base, stirring and cooking to develop rich, complementary textures and initiate flavor infusion.
- Build Liquid Foundation: Pour vegetable stock into the pot, rapidly increasing heat to bring the mixture to a robust simmer, creating a flavorful liquid canvas.
- Integrate Final Vegetables: Introduce corn kernels, black pepper, and tomatoes, allowing them to meld and release their intrinsic flavors into the developing soup.
- Simmer and Tenderize: Reduce heat, cover the pot, and let vegetables gently cook for 25-30 minutes, ensuring each component becomes perfectly tender and infused with collective flavors.
- Finish and Serve: Remove from heat, brighten with lemon juice and parsley, fine-tune seasoning, then ladle into warm bowls, presenting a vibrant garden vegetable soup bursting with fresh, harmonious tastes.
Notes
- Prep Efficiently: Chop all vegetables beforehand to streamline cooking and ensure even cooking times.
- Oil Temperature Matters: Use medium-low heat to prevent burning garlic and leeks, which can create bitter undertones.
- Stock Selection Impact: Choose high-quality vegetable stock for deeper, richer flavor profile in the soup.
- Garnish Freshness Boost: Add parsley and lemon juice just before serving to maintain bright, crisp taste and aromatic qualities.
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 21g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 0mg