Soup (Allergy and Vegetarian Friendly)

A Busy Mom's Secret Weapon: Allergy-Friendly & Vegetarian Adaptable Soup

Life as a mom is a whirlwind. Between school runs, work deadlines (or the never-ending to-do list at home), and keeping everyone fed, sometimes the last thing I want to do is spend hours in the kitchen. That's where this amazing soup comes in. It's my secret weapon – a versatile, flavorful, and incredibly convenient recipe that's become a staple in our household.

This recipe started as a simple idea, handed down from my amazing mother. It's her recipe, truly, but I've adapted it over the years to suit our family's needs. My son is a bottomless pit, always hungry, my elderly mother needs easy meals, and my daughter loves to pop by, and she always appreciates a tasty and comforting soup. The beauty of this soup is its adaptability. It's easily customizable to different dietary needs and preferences, perfect for allergy-conscious families or for those embracing a vegetarian lifestyle. You can easily swap out ingredients to make it suitable for all diets.

What I love most is that I can make a huge batch, portion it into freezer-safe containers, and pull out a ready-made meal whenever life gets busy. Whether it's a hectic weeknight, a sudden illness, or simply a day when I just don't feel like cooking, this soup is always there to save the day. It's also a great meal prep solution for my family. It tastes just as good – if not better – reheated, making it the perfect lunchtime solution for school days.

The recipe itself is surprisingly straightforward. The key is to let the flavors meld together slowly by simmering for a generous amount of time. This allows the vegetables to soften beautifully, creating a rich and satisfying broth. While the chicken adds a lovely depth of flavor, it's entirely optional – you can easily make it a vegetarian delight by simply omitting it! I usually use chicken because of the additional protein, but I'm always happy to use this recipe for a vegetarian version as well.

Another great feature of this soup is its ability to be customized. The addition of soup mix is a matter of preference, but it's nice sometimes to have that extra bit of flavor and texture that comes with a little bit of pre-made mix. Other additions, like lentils, barley, pasta, or rice, also add variety and increase the nutritional value. The addition of fresh, seasonal vegetables makes this a truly adaptable recipe.

Why this soup is my go-to:

• Convenience: Make a large batch and freeze for quick meals.
• Flexibility: Adaptable to vegetarian diets and allergy restrictions.
• Flavorful: Rich and satisfying taste, perfect for any occasion.
• Healthful: Packed with nutritious vegetables and protein.
• Economical: Uses inexpensive ingredients and makes a large quantity.

So, if you're looking for a hearty, healthy, and ridiculously easy meal that will please the whole family, give this soup a try. You won't be disappointed! It’s become a family favourite, and I'm sure it will become yours too.

Step-by-step

• If using chicken, cube and place into a large stockpot then rinse once with water and discard the rinse water, after rinsing cover with the 15 cups of water and bring to a boil then turn heat to low and allow to simmer gently while preparing vegetables.
• If using beef, do not rinse.
• If using the same knife and chopping board as the chicken or beef, wash well before using again.
• Peel and wash the onion, parsnip, sweede, carrots and wash the celery, then place on a plate ready for them to be diced in the order given above, adding to the stockpot as you dice them.
• Stir soup after each addition of an ingredient.
• When the above vegetables have been added, leave to simmer for at least an hour before adding any of the following ingredients (If you add the other ingredients too soon it will turn to mush and not soup).
• If using soup mix, pearl barley, lentils, large pasta or rice these can now be added and simmer for 20 minutes more, while you peel and wash and dice the pumpkin, then wash the cauliflower and broccoli and cut into sections and add to the soup, after the extra 20 minutes of simmering and continue to simmer for 5 minutes more, if using peas or 2 minute noodles then they can be added also.
• Turn heat off and leave on the stovetop until ready to serve.
• I don't add the salt, pepper or parsley until at the table as everyone has their own tastes but they can be added at the very last if desired.