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Vegetable Soup with Quinoa

Vegetable Soup with Quinoa from www.SeasonedSprinkles.com

Weird but true: growing up vegetable soup was one of my favorite foods. I mean, what little kid wants to eat veggie soup when they could be noshing on things like chicken nuggets? Apparently, me. And this vegetable soup with quinoa is a take on my childhood favorite.

My Nana lived with us while I was growing up. She used to make a vegetable beef soup totally from scratch- homemade broth and all. It was a full day affair. I used to climb up the cabinet drawers and sit on the kitchen counter and watch her while she worked. I used to beg her for tastes at all different stages: after the broth was done, while the turnips and barley were cooking…

Vegetable Soup with Quinoa

Vegetable Soup with Quinoa

I’m sure I was very annoying. I was am gifted at that. My poor Nana.

My awesome Nana, who inspired this soup

My awesome Nana, who inspired this soup

I annoyed her so much. My family used to go on these vacations to the beach. We’d often pick a spot that was at least a 10 hour drive away. My family would pile in the minivan with my parents driving, my sister and brother and Nana in the middle row, and me in the way back often next to all the luggage. One year, I brought a couple Barbies to play with on the ride. I staged a Barbie fashion show on my Nana’s head.

When we got out of the car to stretch her legs, she took me aside, and said very seriously, “Jenna. I know Santa. If you keep dancing those dolls on my head, I will tell him not to bring you anything for Christmas.”

I just looked at her. At this point I was maybe 9 or 10. My little smart aleck self said, “Santa doesn’t bring presents.”

My Nana was sharp. She didn’t even skip a beat. She just calmly said, “But I do. And I only bring them for grandchildren that deserve them.”

Vegetable Soup with Quinoa

Vegetable Soup with Quinoa

My jaw dropped open as I thought about the amazing presents she did in fact give every Christmas. The year before she had given me this amazing faux fur coat with a muff. It was my early 90s dream. I loved it so much. She did the grandmother version of a mic drop and just calmly walked away. I’m sure she was smirking at me and congratulating herself while I just stood there stunned.

Needless to say, I got back in the car and tried very hard to not annoy my Nana for the rest of the trip. I’m pretty sure I only lasted about 30 minutes before I decided that I needed to start singing any song I could think of to pass the time.

Vegetable Soup with Quinoa

Vegetable Soup with Quinoa

Told you: annoying.

My poor Nana. But despite me being the most annoying child ever, she still made her vegetable soup for me even in the summer. She was the best.

I have to say, while I have changed some things about the way the soup is made, it tastes very much like her original version. In my version, I take a few short cuts. I use premade broth instead of making my own because really who has time? I switched the barley to quinoa to add protein and keep it gluten free. I also made this vegetarian instead of using stew beef in it to lighten it up a little more. None of the changes take away from the comforting goodness that is homemade soup.

Vegetable Soup with Quinoa

Vegetable Soup with Quinoa

I’ve served this version of the soup to my dad and my aunt on different occasions, and both of them agree: Nana would be proud of my efforts. The soup is spot on. If you are looking for a different soup recipe check out these: Roasted Butternut Squash Soup, Tuscan White Bean Soup, Cheddar Apple Soup, or Cheesy Vegetarian Corn Chowder. All delicious, however none of them made originally by my awesome Nana.

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Vegetable Soup with Quinoa

Vegetable Soup with Quinoa

Easy homemade vegetable soup with quinoa, vegetarian and gluten free
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Course: Soup
Cuisine: American
Servings: 8 servings
Author: Seasoned Sprinkles

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons of olive oil
  • 1/2 of a small can of tomato paste- 3 ounces total
  • 1 large yellow onion
  • 4-5 pressed garlic cloves
  • 2 purple turnips peeled and cubed
  • 2 16 ounce bags of frozen mixed vegetables
  • 1.5 cups of quinoa
  • 8-10 cups of low sodium vegetable broth
  • 3 dry bay leaves
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Heat two tablespoons of olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Dice the onion and season with salt and pepper and bay leaves. Cook the onion in the olive oil for 2-3 minutes, until slightly soft. Add pressed garlic. And stir.
  • When the onions have softened slightly, add the peeled, diced turnips. Season with a lay Cook an additional 5-6 minutes, until the edges start to brown slightly.
  • Add the tomato paste and about half a cup of the broth. Stir until the tomato paste dissolves.
  • Pour in the rest of the broth. Bring to a simmer and let simmer for about half an hour. Add in the quinoa and continue to simmer for an additional 20 minutes. When the quinoa is done, add in the frozen veggies. Return soup to a simmer and let simmer for about 5 minutes. Serve hot and garnish with Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

*This is the soup that keeps on giving. This recipes always leaves leftovers for us. When I reheat the soup, I often add more veggie broth or stock since the quinoa and veggies do soak it up. One pot of this soup can feed our family of three for 3 days.

Nutrition

Serving: 8g
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

 

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  1. […] know I’ve mentioned it before when I wrote my vegetable soup with quinoa recipe, but I grew up with my Nana living in our home with us. She was such a special […]

  2. nabila says:

    โ€œJust to say โ€œthank youโ€ We all enjoyed your delicious food and the evening was everything we hoped it would be. Thank you so much.โ€œ

  3. […] And for me, thatโ€™s why I cook. I cook because I love my family. I cook because I love to. I cook because it makes me feel connected to my grandmothers who taught me how to cook some of my favorite recipes like my Nanaโ€™s vegetable soup. […]

  4. Rebekah says:

    This looks soooo yummy!! I love that you replaced the barley with quinoa, ‘casue now my gluten free family can eat it, and I now have an idea with how to replace barley in recipes for the future. Pinning!

    • jfletcher says:

      Yeah- I do kind of miss barley tbh but I don’t miss the accompanying belly ache. Quinoa and rice make great barley substitutes if you are looking to stay gf.

  5. Mary says:

    I eat quinoa almost daily and I love adding it to soups. I’m looking forward to giving your recipe a try.

  6. Lauren says:

    That soup looks delicious and I loved the stories you shared about your Nana too!

  7. Ashleigh says:

    I love cooking with quinoa! I pretty much add it to as many dishes as possible. I will have to make this soap asap as it looks wonderful! Thank you for sharing!!!

  8. Lovely food memories. My great-grandmother lived with us while I was growing up and I have so many great memories of her involving us in the kitchen together. This soup looks delicious and perfect for cold winter days!

    • jfletcher says:

      Aren’t those memories the best? I cherish them, and I’m pretty sure these are the reasons why I like to cook so much.

  9. Alesia says:

    What a great recipe! My husband is a vegetarian so that think I might have to make this for him. Plus perfect for winter months. It’s a win-win. Thanks for a great post!

  10. Shannon says:

    This looks delicious!

  11. Krysten says:

    I love how much your grandma meant to you and how much she has inspired you through the years. I wish I had someone like that in my life. That’s amazing. What’s more amazing in this soup, it looks perfect for cold nights like tonight.

  12. Heather says:

    Mic drop … lol! This soup looks so amazing. I cannot wait to try it. Loved the story as well! ๐Ÿ™‚

  13. This looks so good! I’m always looking for more ways to use quinoa!

  14. Never thought about using quinoa in soup; my kids and I love it and I am always looking for different ways to use it. Thank you!

  15. Amy says:

    Haha! Behind every delicious soup is a great story ๐Ÿ™‚ Love how your Nana inspired this recipe. I’m a HUGE fan of veggie soup so I will most definitely be trying this ๐Ÿ™‚

  16. My grandmother inspires so much of my cooking. It’s great when you cook with love & memories. Great recipe! I love LOVE veggie soup!

  17. This looks delish! I love that it was inspired by your Nana. I had been looking for more yummy soup recipes so I will definitely pin this for my next meal plan ๐Ÿ˜€ ๐Ÿ˜€

  18. Becki Svare says:

    I love veggie soup! I make it often, but never thought to put quinoa in it. Which is weird, because I also love quinoa and make it often! Thanks for the recipe ๐Ÿ™‚

  19. Love how you weaved in your personal stories with this delicious recipe – I have to try this now! ๐Ÿ™‚

    xo Kathryn
    http://www.fashionablyfrank.com

  20. Patricia says:

    What special (and funny) memories of you and your Nana growing up! Your soup looks delicious!!

  21. Rachel says:

    This looks awesome! I have one kiddo that would probably eat this every day. Always a treat to find a recipe that’s been pasted down ๐Ÿ™‚ Thanks for sharing. Coming your way from kitchencents.com

  22. Kate says:

    Yum, this looks so good! I’ve been adding barley to my veg soup lately, I’ll definitely have to try it with quinoa!

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