Quick Vegetable Soup

The weather has been cold and dreary, I've had a cold and been feeling dreary, so I decided to make some soup to soothe my sore throat.  I had a look at the vegetable crate in the pantry and found a few carrots, some potatoes, an onion, and some garlic.  More than enough to make a large batch of soup.

My daughters enjoyed a large bowl of this soup when they arrived home from school, it was warm and comforting and filled them up until dinner time.  We quite often have a cup of homemade soup after school on Winter afternoons, we also sometimes have hot chocolate and a baked treat but the soup fills us up for longer and is better for us.

Quick Vegetable Soup

1 Tblsp oil

1 onion, diced

1 or 2 cloves garlic, minced
3 carrots, diced
3 stalks celery, diced
4 potatoes, peeled and diced
1.5 litres vegetable stock, or more as necessary
3 Tblsp flour
125ml cup milk (use soy/oat or coconut milk)
1/2 tsp chilli powder (optional)

1 tsp dried mixed herbs

Put a large pot over a moderate heat.  Soften the vegetables for a few minutes in a little oil.  Pour in the stock, add the chilli powder and herbs, then bring it to a gentle boil. Cook for 15 minutes, or until the vegetables are very tender.  Whisk together the flour and milk then add to the soup.  Cook for another 5 - 10 minutes.  tender. Take the soup off the heat and leave to cool for a few minutes before blending until smooth with a stick blender.  Season to taste, then serve.