Stone Soup is THE Recipe to Get Picky Eaters To Eat Vegetables
Stone Soup is a hearty and flavorful vegetable soup inspired by a classic fable, designed to engage picky eaters with its magical origin story and customizable ingredients.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, peeled and diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 cups high-quality vegetable broth (homemade or store-bought)
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1 cup small pasta (like ditalini or alphabet pasta)
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1 cup chopped fresh spinach or kale
- Optional: cooked chicken, beans, or lentils for added protein
- Optional: a clean, smooth stone (for the story!)
Instructions
- 1
Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 8-10 minutes.
- 2
Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- 3
Pour in the vegetable broth and diced tomatoes (with their juice). Stir in the thyme and rosemary. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- 4
Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. For a richer flavor, simmer for up to an hour.
- 5
While the soup simmers, prepare any additional toppings or protein additions you wish to include.
- 6
Increase the heat to medium-high and bring the soup back to a gentle boil. Add the small pasta and cook according to package directions, usually about 7-10 minutes, until al dente.
- 7
Stir in the frozen peas and spinach or kale. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, until the peas are tender and the greens have wilted.
- 8
Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
- 9
Serve hot, ladling into bowls. If using the stone, tell the story of the Stone Soup and let each person admire the 'magic' stone before removing it from their bowl (ensure it's clean and safe).
- 10
Add any optional cooked proteins like chicken, beans, or lentils to individual bowls.
Prep Time
30 mins
Cook Time
60 mins
Total Time
90 mins
Pro Tips
- •Involve picky eaters in the preparation process by letting them wash vegetables, stir ingredients, or choose their favorite pasta shape.
- •Tell the fable of Stone Soup before serving to build excitement and encourage tasting.
- •Make a large batch of broth using vegetable scraps (onion skins, carrot peels, celery ends) and freeze it in portions for easy weeknight meals.
- •Chop vegetables very finely or use a food processor to create a smoother texture that might be more appealing to some picky eaters.
- •Offer a variety of optional add-ins like different types of beans, cooked grains (quinoa, rice), or shredded cheese to cater to individual preferences.
Variations
- •For a creamier soup, stir in a splash of heavy cream or coconut milk at the end of cooking.
- •Add other vegetables like diced potatoes, zucchini, corn, or bell peppers.
- •Use chicken broth or beef broth for a different flavor profile.
- •Make it a 'theme' soup by adding star-shaped pasta for a 'star' soup or dinosaur-shaped pasta for a 'dinosaur' soup.
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