Portuguese · 50 min · serves 4

Sopa de Legumes (Everyday Vegetable Soup)

Kept by The Bhook kitchen

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion
• 2 cloves garlic
• 2 carrots
• 2 potatoes
• 1 medium turnip
• 200 g pumpkin or butternut squash
• 2 celery stalks
• 1.2 l water
• salt
• black pepper

Method

1. Peel and chop all the vegetables into rough cubes, about bite-sized.
2. In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion and garlic, and cook, stirring, until you smell the sweetness coming out (about 5 min).
3. Add the rest of the vegetables and stir for 2 min so they glisten with oil.
4. Pour in 1.2 litres water and a good pinch of salt, and bring to a boil. Skim any foam that rises, then lower to a simmer.
5. Cook until the vegetables are very soft, about 35 min. The carrots and potatoes should break easily when poked with a fork.
6. Blend the soup smooth with a stick blender straight in the pot, or leave it a little chunky if you like texture.
7. Taste and adjust the salt, add black pepper, and serve hot.

Many over-blend this soup. Leave a few chunks for home-style texture.