How do I create a vegetarian base for soups and stews?

Explore the world of vegetarian soups and stews with our homemade plant-based base recipe. Flavorful, healthy, and cruelty-free!

You'll need

Items needed to answer the question, How do I create a vegetarian base for soups and stews. Items include: fresh vegetables herbs liquid olive oil salt and pepper

fresh vegetables onions, carrots, celery, garlic
herbs bay leaves, thyme, rosemary
liquid vegetable broth or water
olive oil 1 tablespoon
salt and pepper to taste

Take note
Always exercise caution when handling hot liquids, and make sure to taste and adjust seasonings as needed throughout the cooking process.

1

Gather Your Ingredients

First things first, let's gather all the ingredients you'll need for this vegetarian base. You'll need: fresh vegetables like onions, carrots, celery, and garlic; a selection of herbs like bay leaves, thyme, and rosemary; vegetable broth or water; a tablespoon of olive oil; and salt and pepper to taste.

2

Prepare Your Vegetables

Next up, it's time to chop and prep those veggies! Dice the onions, carrots, and celery into small, uniform pieces. Mince the garlic cloves finely. This will ensure that your base cooks evenly and imparts maximum flavor to your soups and stews.

3

Sautee and Simmer

Heat up a tablespoon of olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onions, carrots, celery, and minced garlic. Sprinkle in some salt and pepper to taste. Sautee the vegetables until they're softened and slightly caramelized, about 5-7 minutes. This step will enhance the flavor of your base.

4

Add Herbs and Liquids

Now it's time to add the herbs! Toss in a couple of bay leaves, a teaspoon of thyme, and a teaspoon of rosemary. Give everything a good stir to incorporate the flavors. Pour in your vegetable broth or water, enough to fully cover the vegetables.

5

Simmer and Season

Bring the pot to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 30-40 minutes. This will allow the flavors to meld together and create a rich, savory base. Taste the base and season with additional salt and pepper if needed.

6

Strain and Store

Once your base has simmered and developed its flavors, it's time to strain out the solids. Carefully remove the bay leaves, then strain the liquid through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth. Discard the solids and transfer the liquid to a bowl or airtight container. Your vegetarian base is now ready to be used in your favorite soups and stews!