Vegetable Soup with Quinoa

Byjfletcher January 6, 2017March 22, 2024

Weird but true: growing up vegetable soup was one of my favorite foods. I mean, what little kid wants to eat veggie soup when they could be noshing on things like chicken nuggets? Apparently, me. And this vegetable soup with quinoa is a take on my childhood favorite.

My Nana lived with us while I was growing up. She used to make a vegetable beef soup totally from scratch- homemade broth and all. It was a full day affair. I used to climb up the cabinet drawers and sit on the kitchen counter and watch her while she worked. I used to beg her for tastes at all different stages: after the broth was done, while the turnips and barley were cooking…

I’m sure I was very annoying. I ~~was~~ am gifted at that. My poor Nana.

I annoyed her so much. My family used to go on these vacations to the beach. We’d often pick a spot that was at least a 10 hour drive away. My family would pile in the minivan with my parents driving, my sister and brother and Nana in the middle row, and me in the way back often next to all the luggage. One year, I brought a couple Barbies to play with on the ride. I staged a Barbie fashion show on my Nana’s head.

When we got out of the car to stretch her legs, she took me aside, and said very seriously, “Jenna. I know Santa. If you keep dancing those dolls on my head, I will tell him not to bring you anything for Christmas.”

I just looked at her. At this point I was maybe 9 or 10. My little smart aleck self said, “Santa doesn’t bring presents.”

My Nana was sharp. She didn’t even skip a beat. She just calmly said, “But I do. And I only bring them for grandchildren that deserve them.”

My jaw dropped open as I thought about the amazing presents she did in fact give every Christmas. The year before she had given me this amazing faux fur coat with a muff. It was my early 90s dream. I loved it so much. She did the grandmother version of a mic drop and just calmly walked away. I’m sure she was smirking at me and congratulating herself while I just stood there stunned.

Needless to say, I got back in the car and tried very hard to not annoy my Nana for the rest of the trip. I’m pretty sure I only lasted about 30 minutes before I decided that I needed to start singing any song I could think of to pass the time.

Told you: annoying.

My poor Nana. But despite me being the most annoying child ever, she still made her vegetable soup for me even in the summer. She was the best.

I have to say, while I have changed some things about the way the soup is made, it tastes very much like her original version. In my version, I take a few short cuts. I use premade broth instead of making my own because really who has time? I switched the barley to quinoa to add protein and keep it gluten free. I also made this vegetarian instead of using stew beef in it to lighten it up a little more. None of the changes take away from the comforting goodness that is homemade soup.

I’ve served this version of the soup to my dad and my aunt on different occasions, and both of them agree: Nana would be proud of my efforts. The soup is spot on. If you are looking for a different soup recipe check out these: Roasted Butternut Squash Soup, Tuscan White Bean Soup, Cheddar Apple Soup, or Cheesy Vegetarian Corn Chowder. All delicious, however none of them made originally by my awesome Nana.