Chunky Veg Soup

Don't let the long list of ingredients put you off this filling, hearty, chunky and healthy veggie soup/stew (I use the / as it's very, very chunky) is a delicious winter warmer and once you've done the chopping, it's just a matter of adding.

The sweet potato and capsicum impart a lovely sweetness that counters the acidity of the tomatoes.

Ingredients:

Low fat cooking spray

1 large onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, crushed

2 meduim carrots, chopped

2 stalks celery, chopped

salt and pepper

1/2 tsp celery salt

1/2 Tbs thyme

1 bayleaf

1 large sweet potato, peeled and chopped

1 Tbs tomato paste

1 Tbs soy sauce

1 stock cube

100g lentils verte, washed and pre-cooked for 10 min in the microwave (just cover with water and cook on high)

1 tin chopped tomatoes

1 L boiling water

1 yellow capsicum, chopped

1 courgette, chopped

2 handfuls of mini pasta shapes (note the heart shaped pasta in the pic - a gift from my sister's recent trip to Italy)

1 Tbs balsamic vinegar

handful torn basil

To make:

1) Heat some cooking spray in a pot over a medium heat and add in the onions. Stir fry for 3minutes and then add garlic and stir.

2)Put the carrots, celery, salt, pepper, celery salt, bayleaf and thyme and stir for 3 minutes.

3) Then add sweet potato, tomato paste, soy sauce and crumble in the stock cube, mix well.

4) Then add the lentils and tomatoes and stir well to get everything mixed before pouring in the water. Bring to the boil then turn down, cover and leave to simmer for 20 minuites.

5) Add the yellow capsicum and let that cook for 15 minutes before adding the courgettes, pasta and vinegar. Turn up the heat and cook for 10 minutes, or until the pasta is done (it will take longer than the packet instructions to cook as it's in with everything else).

6) Just before serving add the torn basil.

Serves 4.

This is very satisfying and delicious with crusty white bread, or on its own.