Hearty Veggie Soup!

Given the frigidity of the weather we're experiencing in Boulder, I decided it was time to create a new, hearty vegetable soup. My other go to, the Chicken Soup recipe from November 1, 2010, remains amazing but I wanted to give my vegetarian friends a tasty alternative. I am continuing with the 'no nightshades' diet, evidenced by the substitution of yams for potatoes.

8 c. water
4 TBSP Better than Bouillon, vegetarian chicken base.
1 large yam, cut into small bite-size pieces
6 carrots, cut into pieces
1 bunch kale, ribs removed adn leaves cut into narrow ribbons
3/4 c. wild rice, rinsed
3 cloves of garlic, finely minced (I used a microplaner)
3 TBSP dried chives (I went on the strong side, you can get away with 2 TBSP)
1 tsp salt
1 medium sized bulb of fennel, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 15 oz can garbanzo beans, drained
3 small onions, chopped
1 TBSP dried rosemary
1/2 small head of cabbage, chopped into bite-sized pieces
4 TBSP butter, for sauteeing the onions, carrots and fennel ( You can use Earth Balance if you want a good vegan alternative) - divide in half since these will be sauteed separately.


5 QT covered stock pot
skillet for sauteeing onions

Begin by sauteeing the onions on medium heat in a skillet with 2 TBSP of butter. Cook until trnaslucent, but be careful not to burn. Sautee the carrots and fennel on medium heat in 2 TBSP of Butter in the stock pot until the fennel is translucent. While these things are sauteeing, chop your veggies if you haven't already done so. Once the onions are translucent, throw them in with the fennel and carrot mixture. Add all other ingredients, give the mixture a good stir to break up the bouillon, and allow it to simmer covered on medium heat for about 1 - 1 1/2 hours or until veggies are tender and wild rice is cooked (it will puff up and be mostly white given the expansion of the center of the grain). While this is cooking, feel free to set a timer, curl up in a blanket with a glass of beer/wine if you feel so inclined, and watch a good movie. :)

Enjoy!