Microwave Vegetable Soup

Fast forward to March and still winter is here with a vengeance. It seems as if winter is enjoying its stay and doesn't want to leave us anytime soon. I woke up today with snow in our driveway and see one more snowfall in this week's forecast. If that happens, probably this would be the first March snowfall I would be witnessing among the dozen winters I have spent in this country.
A hot bowl of soup is so comforting during these dreary, long winter days and that's what we had today - a simple, nourishing veggie soup, prepared in a microwave.

I don't follow any particular recipe for a vegetable soup and add any vegetables that I happen to find in my refrigerator. Today, in went onion, potato, carrot, green beans, peas, cabbage, green capsicum and green onions.

Ingredients for 4-6 servings: (Use it as a rough guideline)

• A small onion, finely minced
• Finely chopped veggies (I had about 3 cups)
• 2 tsp canola oil / butter / ghee
• 1 Tbsp of corn flour / all purpose flour (optional and can be used if the soup needs to be thicker)
• Milk - 1/2 to 1 cup (optional and fat free will do)
• 3 cups vegetable stock / water / bouillon cube + water
• Salt and pepper to taste

Method:
Add minced onion and oil to a microwave safe bowl and mix it. Then fry it in microwave for about three minutes stirring in between. If using, add the flour to the onion and fry it for about a minute.

I happened to add about 3 cups of water and vegetables to the onion mixture and put it in the microwave back. When the water started to boil, I added about one vegetarian bouillon cube. I allowed it to cook for about 12 - 15 minutes, stirring in between.
You can add the milk, salt and pepper at this point. Stir and check the seasonings. Add extra water if a watery soup is preferred. Just heat through and serve.

This goes to Srivalli's MEC event; guest hosted by Saraswati of Sara's corner for the month of February with the theme 'Soups'.