Veggie Noodle Soup (vegan)

Walking home after work I got drenched to the bone in a chilling rain.  All I could think about was getting home, getting warmed up, and getting dinner on the stove.  Once I made it indoors, dry and cozy I looked into my pantry to see what was about.  I wanted something quick and easy.  I scanned my options and reached happily for kale, carrots, whole wheat egg noodles, and some pantry staples.  This soup is made with the same intention as a chicken noodle soup, to warm, to fill, to satisfy especially on a cold rainy night like this one.  Using just veggies makes this soup all the easier to put together, skipping the big step of incorporating the chicken.  I also saves some time, this took no more than 25 minutes to steep, stew, and start working its magic.

Try this recipe with more or different vegetables, bullion, your own homemade stock, rice, lentils or whatever you savor in a soup.  You might notice that I enjoy "Better than Bouillon" vegetable base.  Don't let the name fool you, it is bouillon, in a jar.  My preferred alternative, that boasts a lot flavor, if I don't have homemade stock on hand. 



Serves 4

The Basics:
1. Chop veggies.
2. Sauté onion and garlic until soft.
3. Add veggies and cook until wilted.
4. Add water.
5. Add bullion, simmer and mix until dissolved.
6. Add egg noodles and cook until al dente.
7. Eat.



Recipe:
1/4 c. olive oil
1 large onion, minced
5 cloves of garlic, minced
2 tbs. salt
1-2 tbs. paprika
2 tbs. fresh ground pepper
3 c. chopped kale
1 c. chopped carrots
6 c. water
1 1/2 tbs. vegetable bullion
3 c. of whole wheat egg noodles or about half of a 12 oz. bag




Method:
1. Once your garlic and onion are minced add to a heavy, large pot with olive oil, salt, paprika, and pepper over med-low heat.

2. Sauté onion and garlic until very soft.  Add water a tablespoon at a time and stir to keep them from sticking to the bottom of the pot.

3, Sauté kale and carrots until they just begin to soften.

4. Add water and bullion.  Let water simmer and mix bullion until dissolved.
5. Add noodles and continue to simmer over medium heat.

6. Cook until noodles are tender, about 6 minutes.

ENJOY!