GREAT VEG SOUP ON A BUDGET - LOW IN CALORIES TOO! (Vegetarian)

Member Name: Wee_Jackie_163

Product:	Vegetarian
Date:	12/03/09 (82 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: THE LOW COST, THE NUTRITIONAL VALUE, EASY AND QUICK TO MAKE, THE LIST GOES ON!

Disadvantages: NOT GOOD IF YOU DON'T LIKE THE FLAVOURS

I was vegetarian for a period of around nine years, and know how expensive some products or brands of soups can be, so hopefully this recipe will show how vegetable soup can be very cheap and easy to make, whilst being satisfying and delicious!

My sister swears by this recipe when she is slimming, as it is very low on calories whilst being very nutritious and tasty, not to mention filling! Some of the diets she has been on in the past have even allowed this soup to be a "free" food which she loved!!

This soup only takes around 15/20 minutes to make, and depending on the quantity you make (and the size of your vegetables) will give you a few portions. (I usually manage about 6 portions from one pot of soup.)

The best bit about this soup is the cost!! It costs me around £1.10 to buy all the vegetables,(I always have stock cubes and oatmeal in my pantry) and when you consider that it makes enough for several portions (see above) I find that I can't beat it on price!

::: INGREDIENTS :::

1 Large Potato
1 Medium sized leek
Carrots - 2 Large or 3 Medium
Salt and Black Pepper
Oatmeal
Vegetable Stock cubes (or home-made vegetable stock)


::: METHOD :::

Peel the potato and carrots.

Wash the leek and trim.

Dice the potato.

Pour a pint of boiling water onto a stock cube in a jug, then stir until the stock cube dissolves.

Add your diced potato to a pot and pour over the stock. Bring to the boil slowly.

Meanwhile, chop your leek into small pieces. Add this to the pot and continue to boil gently for around 5 - 10 minutes (depending on the quantity).

Your soup should have plenty of liquid so if at this point it seems to be more veg than liquid, you can add more water, or if you are making a larger pot of soup, you may like to dissolve another stock cube in a jug (as before) and add this to the pot. The seasoning and stock flavour of the soup is all down to your own taste and you will be able to judge this once you have made the soup once or twice.

Grate your carrots. Once the potato and leek has been boiling for 5-10 minutes, you can add your carrots.

Season with salt and black pepper to your own taste. (I like plenty of pepper in mine).

Once your carrots are added, continue to boil, ensuring there is plenty of liquid in your pot and add one desert spoon of oatmeal to the pot of soup, sprinkling it lightly over the top and then mixing it through with a spoon.

Turn the heat down and leave the soup to simmer for another 5 minutes, or until the potato is soft.

Ladle your soup into a bowl and enjoy! Try it with some home made bread on the side for a really hearty snack.

:-D

Summary: HEARTY SOUP ON A BUDGET