quinoa vegetable soup

I’m not good at a lot of things in life.

Let’s take hula hooping, for example. I’ve never been able to hula hoop — ever. Even when I was eight years old, the darn hoop would go from my hips to the ground in three seconds flat. Either my hips weren’t made for hooping or I just really wanted my best friend to look good at her skills, but hula hoops and I don’t mesh well. Heck, even the boys could beat me in a contest. And is it just me, or are boys very good at hula hooping? I am convinced that hula hooping is not a precursor of how one is able to bust out dance moves because all the boys I know who can hula hoop are not good dancers. And I can whip out the lawnmower move like you wouldn’t believe. You wouldn’t expect that from a girl who can’t hula hoop, now would you?

Another thing I’m not so good at?

Hard labor. I always try to pretend like I don’t mind getting dirty and sweaty, but it’s a cold hard lie. I hate it. Sure, I’ve done my fair share of physical labor, but now I have a husband who does it for me. Don’t even shake your head at that statement either — I’m all for being able to do things myself. And I could, if I had to. I just don’t have to. I’d much rather be in my kitchen baking cookies and whipping up a cold batch of lemonade for everyone else who is busting their butts outside in the heat. Unless getting sweaty involves me laying in a lounging chair soaking up a tan, I don’t want any part of it.

That’s not going to go over well with my in-laws who already think I’m high maintenance (don’t even tell me you don’t think I’m not Kim! Let’s remember my reaction to the “honeymoon cottage”).

Let’s see… I think I can pull one more out.

I’m really bad at being patient with the Husband. Like — really bad. So bad that I roll my eyes at myself sometimes. I just have to turn away from him before I do it so he doesn’t see me.  Although it’s usually just with the “little things”. Not making the bed? That sends me into a frenzy. Reversing my car into the garage door? Not a big deal. (and yes, that did happen yesterday)

But this post isn’t really about the things I’m bad at. I just wanted to butter you up so you would feel sorry for me — and so you would be quick to agree to something I told you I was actually good at.

You ready for it?

I’m really good at…

making soup.

I know you were hoping for something really deep and profound, but I’m just not that kind of girl. I could have pulled something out of the depths of my soul, but in the end, I’m just a girl who loves soup. Some may even call me the Soup Nazi.

Okay, that’s just me.

Quinoa Vegetable Soup (serves 4-6)

• 2 carrots, diced
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• 1 can stewed tomatoes
• 1 cup prepared lentils
• 1/2 cup dry quinoa
• 2 cups fresh spinach
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 3 cups water
• 1 tbsp. olive oil
• 1 tsp. basil
• 1 tsp. garlic
• 1/2 tsp. parsley
• sprinkle of paprika
• salt and pepper to taste

Directions: In a large Dutch oven, heat the olive oil and add your garlic, onion, and celery, stirring frequently over medium high heat. Once the onion is translucent (~5 minutes), add your carrots and heat for an additional 2-3 minutes, stirring often. After your carrots begin to get tender, add your vegetable broth, water, lentils, and tomatoes. Add your spices and stir. After a few minutes, add your spinach and allow it to wilt. Lastly, add your quinoa, lower your heat and simmer for at least 30 minutes before serving.

The reason why I love soup so much is because it’s really hard to mess it up. Hence the reason why I am so good at making it. There’s not much work involved in it, and the Husband can continue to believe I’ve spent so. much. time. slaving in the kitchen to bring him a bowl of piping hot soup.

I am pretty sure his “you make really good soup” comment had nothing to do with the fact that the bumper on my car is scratched either.

Soup also has a great companion — crackers. Just like peanut butter and jelly, nothing goes better together than soup and crackers… or soup and sandwiches.. or soup and more soup.

Let’s face it — soup is just good.

And I more than likely have nothing to do with it.

Question: What’s something you are exceptionally good at?

Tagged as: quinoa, recipe, soup, special diet, things I'm good at, things I'm not good at, vegetables