FALL VEGETABLE QUINOA SOUP

Fall Vegetable Quinoa Soup

INGREDIENTS

•  2 tablespoons olive oil
•  1 yellow onion diced
•  1 carrot chopped
•  2 celery stalks thinly sliced
•  3 cloves garlic minced
•  1 large sweet potato peeled and chopped
•  2 cups chopped butternut squash
•  3 bay leaves
•  4 cans 14 1/2 oz each vegetable broth
•  2 cans 15 oz each diced tomatoes
•  1 can 15 oz chickpeas, rinsed and drained
•  1 cup quinoa
•  1 tablespoon dried rosemary
•  2 teaspoons dried thyme
•  2 cups chopped kale ribs and stems removed
•  Salt and black pepper to taste

1. Heat olive oil in a large stockpot over medium heat. Add onion, carrot, and celery and cook until onions are translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, sweet potato, butternut squash, and bay leaves. Cook until vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes. Stir occasionally so they don't stick to the bottom of the pan.
2. Add the vegetable broth, tomatoes, and chickpeas. Stir in the quinoa and season with fresh rosemary and thyme. Cook for 15 minutes or until quinoa is soft. Stir in the kale and cook for an additional 5 minutes. Season with salt and black pepper, to taste. Serve warm.
3. Note-this soup freezes well. To freeze, cool completely and pour into a freezer container. When ready to eat, defrost and reheat on the stove or in the microwave.