Soup Maker Vegetable Soup

Ingredients

• 1 medium onion (1)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 carrot (2)
• 2 parsnips (2)
• 2 sticks celery (4)
• 1 medium potato (5)
• 1 stock cube
• 1/2 tsp garlic granules
• water (as per the recipe)

Instructions

1. 1

   Saute the onion - Peel the onion and cut into quarters, put into the in the soup maker along with the peeled garlic, and pulse briefly. Then scrape any onion off the sides to the bottom of the jug.Add the oil to the soup maker and select the sauté function. Allow to cook for the programme length until the onion is translucent and fragrant. Cooking time will vary according to the model of soup maker.If you do not have a sauté function, then you can skip this stage and throw all the ingredients, including the raw onion into the jug. Or, sauté the onion in a pan first; I do prefer the onion sautéed for the extra flavour this brings to the soup.

2. 2

   Prepare the vegetables - While the onion is cooking prepare the vegetables. Carrot & Parsnip – peel if necessary – I only bother if the skin is blemished. Top and tail and cut into chunks about 1 inch / 2.5cm. Potato – Peel if needed, chop roughly into chunks about 1 inch / 2.5cm.Celery – trim, destring and chop

3. 3

   Load the soup maker - Once the onion has finished sautéing add the prepared carrot, parsnip, potato and celery to the soup maker.Add the stock cube and the seasoning.Top up with water to about 2 inches / 5 cm BELOW the level of the vegetables.

4. 4

   Cook the soup - Put the lid on the jug and select the smooth soup programme and let the soup maker work its magic! Most machines will take about thirty minutes, finishing with a longer blend to make a completely smooth and velvety soup.

5. 5

   Season to taste - When the machine has finished, taste and pulse in any seasoning as needed. I usually add a little pepper and salt and a generous pat of butter.You can add some more liquid if needed at this stage to thin the soup.