Creamy Vegetable Soup with Aromatic Croutons

Ingredients for the Soup:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 carrots, peeled and chopped
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 2 potatoes, peeled and diced
• 1 zucchini, chopped
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 cup milk or cream (for extra creaminess, use heavy cream or coconut milk)
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme (or herbs of your choice)
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Ingredients for Aromatic Croutons:

• 3 cups cubed bread (preferably day-old or slightly stale)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano or Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

For the Soup:

1. Sauté the Vegetables:

• In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened.
• Add minced garlic, carrots, and celery, and sauté for another 5 minutes until the vegetables start to soften.

1. Cook the Soup:

• Add the diced potatoes, zucchini, and vegetable broth. Stir in dried thyme, salt, and pepper.
• Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.

1. Blend the Soup:

• Use an immersion blender to blend the soup until smooth and creamy. Alternatively, transfer in batches to a blender. If you prefer a chunkier texture, only blend part of the soup.
• Stir in the milk or cream, and heat through for another 5 minutes without bringing it to a boil.

1. Taste and Adjust:

• Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.

For the Aromatic Croutons:

1. Preheat the Oven:

• Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

1. Prepare the Croutons:

• In a bowl, toss the bread cubes with olive oil, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.

1. Bake the Croutons:

• Spread the seasoned bread cubes in a single layer on the baking sheet.
• Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until golden and crispy, tossing halfway through to ensure even baking.

Serve the Soup:

• Ladle the creamy vegetable soup into bowls and top with a handful of aromatic croutons.
• Garnish with fresh parsley for a pop of color.

Enjoy your delicious and hearty creamy vegetable soup with crunchy, aromatic croutons!