Simple Vegetable Soup

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 carrots, peeled and diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 2 medium Maris Peer potatoes, peeled and diced
• 1 leek, cleaned and chopped
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 litre vegetable stock
• 400g canned chopped tomatoes
• 200g green beans, trimmed and cut into bite-sized pieces
• 150g kale, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Method:

1. In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion and minced garlic, sauté until fragrant and translucent.
2. Stir in diced carrots, celery, potatoes, and chopped leek. Cook for a few minutes until the vegetables begin to soften.
3. Add a bay leaf and dried thyme to the pot, then pour in the vegetable stock and canned chopped tomatoes.
4. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 20 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.
5. Add the trimmed green beans and chopped kale to the pot. Continue to simmer for another 5-7 minutes until the greens are cooked.
6. Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste.
7. Garnish each serving with chopped fresh parsley before serving.