It's a cool & cloudy day in Atlanta today, perfect weather for a pot of soup.... And the photo above, Lentil & Mixed Veggie Soup, is what I have bubbling away on the stove as-I-type. I never follow a recipe when it comes to making soup -- for me it just starts with a good heavy pot and adding ingredients & flavors of what I have on hand. Some things are always staples, a can of beans, a bag of baby spinach, and tomato (either fresh or a can), but today I added sweet potatoes & broccoli that I had left over from last night's dinner. I didn't have any stock for liquid, so I just used water, and let the seasonings (fresh cracked pepper and I prefer Herbamare over salt) and the mix of vegetables flavor the soup. I bring everything to a boil and then turn down the heat to simmer for at least 15-20 minutes.... I find that reduces the liquid a bit and allows the veggies & beans to marry together deliciously! I top my soup with a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil or fresh grated cheese.
