Description
Alton Brown’s garden vegetable soup brings hearty farmhouse comfort to your kitchen with fresh seasonal produce. Rich Mediterranean-inspired flavors mingle deliciously, promising a warm bowl that satisfies and nourishes you completely.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables:
- 2 cups chopped leeks, white part only (from approximately 3 medium leeks)
- 2 cups carrots, peeled and chopped into rounds (approximately 2 medium)
- 2 cups peeled and diced potatoes
- 2 cups fresh green beans, broken or cut into ¾-inch pieces
- 2 ears of corn, kernels removed
- 4 cups peeled, seeded, and chopped tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons finely minced garlic
Liquids and Seasonings:
- 2 quarts chicken or vegetable broth
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 to 2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Kosher salt
Herbs:
- ¼ cup packed, chopped fresh parsley leaves
Instructions
- Warm extra virgin olive oil in a substantial, thick-walled stockpot over medium-low temperature, creating a gentle heat foundation for vegetable infusion.
- Introduce minced garlic, finely sliced leeks, and a delicate sprinkle of salt into the heated oil, allowing them to soften and release aromatic flavors for 7-8 minutes.
- Incorporate diced carrots, cubed potatoes, and trimmed green beans into the sautéed aromatics, gently stirring and cooking for an additional 4-5 minutes to develop layered vegetable textures.
- Pour in vegetable stock (32 fluid ounces / 950 milliliters), elevating the heat to high and bringing the liquid to a vigorous simmer.
- Add sweet corn kernels, freshly cracked black pepper, and chopped tomatoes to the bubbling mixture, allowing them to integrate and release their essence for 2-3 minutes.
- Reduce heat to low, cover the pot, and let the vegetables gently simmer and tenderize for 25-30 minutes until each piece can be easily pierced with a fork.
- Remove from heat, brighten the soup with fresh lemon juice and finely chopped parsley, adjusting seasoning with kosher salt to personal preference.
- Ladle into warm bowls and serve immediately, capturing the vibrant, fresh vegetable medley at its peak flavor.
Notes
- Harvest locally grown vegetables at peak ripeness for maximum taste and nutritional value.
- Slice ingredients with precision to ensure consistent cooking throughout the dish.
- Develop depth by introducing salt strategically during the preparation process.
- Adjust citrus intensity to match your personal palate and flavor preferences.
- Allow gentle simmering to marry ingredients and create a harmonious, robust profile.
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg