Simplified Vegetable Soup Base Recipe
In an effort to promote sustainability and health, the author encourages readers to embrace a simple practice: making easy vegetable broth from leftover vegetable scraps. This approach not only reduces food waste but also creates a flavorful base for various dishes.
The method, inspired by the well-loved "The Clueless Vegetarian" cookbook, is straightforward and requires common kitchen equipment. Here's a step-by-step guide:
## Ingredients
- Vegetable Scraps: onion skins and ends, carrot peels, celery leaves, garlic skins, herb stems (thyme, rosemary, parsley, etc.), other scraps (ginger, leeks, mushrooms, bell peppers) - Water - Optional Flavor Boosters: peppercorns, bay leaves, and any other aromatic herbs or spices
## Instructions
1. **Collect and Store Scraps**: Save clean vegetable scraps in a freezer-safe bag or container in your freezer. Once full, you're ready to make broth.
2. **Prepare the Vegetables**: If using fresh vegetables, roughly chop them. If using frozen scraps, no chopping is necessary.
3. **Cook the Broth**: Place the vegetable scraps in a large pot, stockpot, or Instant Pot. Cover with enough water to fully submerge the scraps. Add any desired seasonings.
- **Stovetop Method**: Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer gently for 1–6 hours. The longer you simmer, the richer the flavor.
- **Instant Pot Method**: Cook on high pressure for 15–30 minutes, then let the pressure release naturally.
4. **Strain and Store**: Strain the broth through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a large bowl or pot. Discard or compost the solids. Let the broth cool before transferring to jars or airtight containers. Store in the refrigerator for up to a week or freeze for longer storage.
## Tips
- Best Scraps: Onion, garlic, carrot, celery, leek, mushroom, and herb stems add excellent flavor. - Avoid Overusing Starchy Vegetables: Potatoes, sweet potatoes, and other starchy vegetables can make the broth cloudy but are still usable if clarity isn’t a concern. - Compost: The leftover vegetable scraps can be composted after straining.
## Summary Table
| Step | Stovetop | Instant Pot | |---------------------------|-------------------------|-----------------------| | Preparation | Rough chop or use scraps| Use scraps as-is | | Cooking Time | 1–6 hours (simmer) | 15–30 min (pressure) | | Straining | Fine mesh/cheesecloth | Fine mesh/cheesecloth | | Storage | 1 week (fridge) | 1 week (fridge) | | Can be frozen? | Yes | Yes |
This method is flexible, sustainable, and perfect for using up kitchen scraps while making a delicious vegetable broth. The author emphasizes that this method helps minimize food waste and save money, contributing to a sustainable lifestyle. The cookbook "The Clueless Vegetarian," which played a significant role in the author's transition to a plant-based diet, is available for purchase on Amazon. Readers are also invited to share their own tips and tricks for using up food items that might otherwise be thrown into the compost.
The method from "The Clueless Vegetarian" cookbook encourages a sustainable lifestyle by using leftover vegetable scraps to make flavorful vegetable broth, which can be incorporated into a healthy-cooking, food-and-drink lifestyle. This approach not only reduces food waste but also benefits home-and-garden practices by creating compost from the leftover vegetable scraps. By following the given guide, one can easily incorporate this sustainable practice into their cooking routine.
