Stone Soup: Basic Soup Recipe

There is a tale, I heard in my childhood. Maybe it is familiar to you, too. From my memory the story began with two hungry travelers who came to a village asking for food. All the villagers said that they did not have enough food to spare. The travelers said they would make stone soup if they could borrow a big pot and light a fire. The curious villagers gathered around wondering how the stone soup would taste. The travelers said it tastes splendid but would taste better with some cabbage. So a villager brought some cabbage to add to the soup. Every time the villagers asked how the soup tasted, the travelers would say it would taste better with one more ingredient. Then someone would bring that item, and it would be added to the soup. After a while the pot was full of ingredients and the whole village enjoyed the soup together.

This simple and beautiful story describes not only the beauty of each person contributing something they have for the benefit of all, but of the heartwarming nature and simplicity of soup. 

Stone Soup (without the Stone)

Directions
1. First make the soup base as described below.
Soup Base: Ingredients: Garlic, onions, celery, carrots, potatoes, 1 Tbsp of olive oil (or choice of fat)

Directions:

1. Chop the garlic, onion, and celery into small pieces and cut the carrots and potatoes into bite size cubes.

2. Add Tbsp of olive oil or butter. Sauté garlic, onion, and celery sauté for three minutes. Then add carrots and sauté for 10 minutes. Then add the potatoes. 

2. Second choose your protein and add to the base
Protein for Soup
Chicken pieces (leftover or not)

Cuts of beef for stew

Fish Or beans

3. Third add the soup broth that goes with the protein choice

If you are using chicken add chicken broth, for beef add beef broth, etc.

4. Other Vegetables to add to basic soup recipe

Cabbage, sweet potatoes, corn, peas, and green beans can be added based on preference.

5. Boil and Simmer

Bring the pot of soup to a boil and simmer for at least 30 minutes. If using meat make sure it is fully cooked and tender. 

6. Add the Seasonings

Cooking usually mellows herbs so they are usually added at the end of cooking. Sage goes well with chicken.

One teaspoon of dried herbs is equivalent to 1 tbsp of fresh herbs. I suggest starting with one teaspoon of dried basil or thyme and oregano or parsley and adding salt and pepper to taste. Of course if fresh herbs are available use them over the dried herbs. I like to add turmeric, or an inch of ginger root to my soup as well for an extra antioxidant boost.