Chunky Vegetable Soup

This recipe comes from the blog Simply Sissom and it is very, very, good and very, very, healthy. I look forward to checking out more recipes from this blog!

• 1 TBS extra-virgin olive oil
• 4 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 sweet onion, diced
• 3 medium parsnips (or carrots) (I used carrots because that's what I had on hand)
• 1 bell pepper (I prefer red)
• 2 cups of sweet potato, peeled and chopped (I used butternut squash)
• 1 zucchini, chopped into half moons
• 1 28 oz can of diced tomatoes
• 4 cups of chicken broth (Vegan- use vegetable broth) (I used vegetable broth)
• 3/4 t paprika
• 1/4 t garlic powder
• 1/2 t oregano
• 1/4 t onion powder
• 1/2 t basil
• 1/4 t thyme
• 1/8 t pepper
• 1/4 t sea salt
• 1/8 t white pepper
• additional Salt and Pepper to taste
• 1 Bay leaf
• 4 cups of baby spinach
• 1 can of black beans, rinsed (optional)
• 
  

Cook onion and garlic in olive oil for about 5 minutes, add all ingredients except beans and spinach. 

Simmer 20 minutes until vegetables are tender.

Add beans and spinach.

Soup Spice Blend

• 2 TBS of smoked paprika
• 1 TBS garlic powder
• 1 TBS dried oregano
• 1 TBS onion powder
• 1 TBS dried basil
• 2 tsp. thyme
• 1 tsp ground pepper
• 1 1/2 tsp fine-grain sea salt
• 1 tsp. white pepper