Homemade Holiday Vegetable Soup – the perfect last minute gift for friends, coworkers, neighbors, and more!

This is the season for giving – and if you are like me you love to give food as a gesture of health and happiness to others!  This year I shared with neighbors my mother’s recipe for homemade vegetable soup in a soup maker – check out these soup maker reviews.  Not only were they thrilled that they could take a much needed night off in the kitchen (or from takeout!) but I also felt good about giving a wholesome and nutritious meal instead of the traditional cookies or something along those lines.  My mother is so proud of her veggie soup because as she likes to say “It is just so pretty!”.

If you are looking for a last minute gift to share with those around you – go ahead and whip up this easy but nutrient packed batch of soup.  I hope you enjoy and please share any comments or additional suggestions.  Oh and one of the great things about vegetable soup is that it is easy to improvise with what you do have in your fridge or freezer.

Enjoy – and remember to not stress about the little things but embrace the moments around you!

Ingredients

3 quarts water

2 large carrots, sliced

1 cup chopped onion

3 celery ribs, sliced

4 sweet potatoes, diced

1 14.5 oz cans diced tomatoes

1 small can tomato paste

2 cups broccoli florets

1/2 cabbage shredded

1 small bag frozen green beans

1 small bag frozen corn

2 garlic cloves, minced

3 tablespoons chicken bouillon granules

3 tablespoons picante sauce

2 1/4 teaspoons minced fresh thyme

2 1/4 teaspoons minced fresh basil

1 teaspoon minced fresh rosemary

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

2 cups cubed cooked and seasoned chicken breast (or substitute a shredded rotisserie chicken)

Directions

1. In a large soup kettle, combine water, carrots, onion, celery, diced tomatoes, and tomato paste. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 20 – 30 minutes or until the vegetables are tender. Add broccoli, cabbage, green beans, corn, garlic, bouillon, picante sauce and seasonings. Cover and simmer for an additional 20 – 30 minutes or until broccoli is tender. Add chicken. Cover and simmer for 5 minutes or until heated through.