Summer Vegetable Soup

                                

I made this delicious soup last week to take to the ladies I work with as a thank you for covering everything while I have been off. I have been waiting for a good day to post it since it's had been quite warm out. But the last two days of rainy weather and cooler temps are made for soups like this one! 

When I was deciding what to make for this little lunch delivery I knew I wanted to try to make a version of Panera's Garden Vegetable Soup with Pesto. My co-worker had told me once how much she loves that soup! Plus I have an abundance of zucchini, yellow squash, and basil at my disposal! 

I have never had Panera's version but I looked it up and read the description then looked at what I had available to me and magically this delicious soup was born! 

This soup is really really good and super easy to make and it makes a large batch! With the added bonus of being less than 200 calories per serving! I am going to do some experimenting with turning this into a freezer meal so that this winter I can still enjoy summer's bounty without a ton of chopping! 

Summer Vegetable Soup

2 tbsp EVOO

1 cup zucchini diced

1 cup yellow squash diced

1 cup cauliflower chopped

1 cup red onion diced

1cup red bell pepper diced

1 cup kale chopped (could use any dark hearty green)

32oz chicken or vegetable broth

4 cups water 

1 can petite diced tomatoes

1 can tomato paste

4 cloves garlic minced

Salt and pepper to taste

1/2 cup orzo pasta

1/2 Parmesan cheese grated

Basil Pesto

In a large heavy bottom pot heat oil over medium heat, add in zucchini , yellow squash, cauliflower, onion and pepper, sauté for a couple of minutes. Stir in kale no cook for a few more minutes season vegetables with salt and pepper. Lower the heat and stir in broth, water, tomatoes, tomato paste, and garlic. Allow mixture to simmer for 20-30 minutes. Add in the orzo allow to cook for 10 minutes more. Stir in the Parmesan cheese just before serving. Top each bowl with basil pesto, serve with crusty bread! Yum!