Roasted Tomato & Vegetable Soup

Sorry I have been slacking with posting recipes! 
I love homemade soups but find I don't make them often enough, so in the new year I am going to try to pack my diet with more variety of homemade soups and salads.  Not only are they delicious and easy to make, but soups are also so very healthy!  This soup in particular is very easy to make and delicious.  Perfect for a cold winter day.

This Roasted Tomato Soup recipe is something I made quite some time ago and absolutely loved it.  It came from my Biggest Book of Soups and Stews cookbook from Better Homes and Gardens, and I can never go wrong with something from this cookbook. Although hearty, it is overall a very light soup but packed with wonderful flavors.  The fire roasted tomatoes give it a delicious smokey flavor and the mass amounts of vegetables make it really healthy which is a plus!  I hope you enjoy!

Roasted Tomato & Vegetable Soup
Makes 6 servings - 30min prep and 25min cook time

Ingredients

•  2 T Olive Oil
• 1-1/4 C onions, chopped
• 1 C sliced celery
• 3/4 C carrot, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 6 C chicken broth
• 2 C butternut squash, peeled, seeded and chopped
• 1 14oz. can fire roasted diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 15oz. can white kidney beans(cannelini or great northern works too), rinsed and drained
• 1 medium zucchini, halved lengthwise and sliced into half moons
• 1 C small broccoli florets, fresh
• 1 C small cauliflower florets, fresh
• 1-1/2 t fresh oregano OR 1/2 t crushed dried oregano
• black pepper to taste
• Freshly grated parmesan cheese (optional for garnish)

Directions

• In a 4 qt. dutch oven heat the oil over medium heat.  Add onions, celery, carrot, and garlic.
• Cook and stir over  medium heat for 5 minutes
• Stir in broth, squash and undrained tomatoes
• Bring to a boil and reduce heat.  Simmer while covered for 20 minutes
• Add beans, zucchini, broccoli, cauliflower, oregano, and pepper and mix in
• Cook for 5 minutes more
• Scoop into bowls and sprinkle each serving with parmesan cheese if desired.

Thinking about it, this soup could also be delicious if served over a cheese tortellini.  I haven't tried it, but if you wanted to make it a bit heartier then that could be a good way to do it.  Let me know if you like it!

Bon Appetit!