Vegetable Soup With Fennel, Herbs And Parmesan Broth Recipe

Cooking Directions

• STEP 1.Start by preparing the vegetables. Chop the fennel bulb, carrots, celery, and onion into bite-sized pieces.
• STEP 2.Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped vegetables and sauté for about 5 minutes, until they start to soften.
• STEP 3.Add the minced garlic, thyme, and rosemary to the pot. Stir well to combine and cook for another minute until fragrant.
• STEP 4.Pour in the vegetable broth and bring the soup to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 20 minutes, until the vegetables are tender.
• STEP 5.While the soup is simmering, prepare the Parmesan broth. In a separate saucepan, heat the chicken or vegetable broth over medium heat. Add the Parmesan rind and let it simmer for about 10 minutes to infuse the flavors.
• STEP 6.Once the Parmesan broth is ready, strain it and discard the rind. Add the Parmesan broth to the vegetable soup and stir well to combine.
• STEP 7.Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot, garnished with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh herbs.
• STEP 8.Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave before serving.

Cooking Tips

• For a heartier soup, you can add cooked pasta or rice to the vegetable soup.
• Feel free to customize the vegetables based on your preference or what you have on hand.
• If you don't have a Parmesan rind, you can substitute it with grated Parmesan cheese. Just add it to the soup and let it melt.
• To make the soup vegan, use vegetable broth and omit the Parmesan cheese or use a vegan alternative.
• Garnish the soup with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil for added flavor.

Storage and Serving

• Serve the vegetable soup as a main course with crusty bread on the side.
• You can also serve it as a starter or appetizer before a larger meal.
• To freeze the soup, let it cool completely and transfer it to freezer-safe containers. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.
• When reheating frozen soup, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator and then heat it on the stovetop or in the microwave.