Soup for the soul: For rainy Monday nights

It isn’t a secret that food is a means of comfort. During hard-working days, lunch break is greatly welcomed, and the prospect of dinner is what makes us last till the finish line of that oh-so-long Monday. Comfort food is what I crave when I am hit by the blues. I can’t explain this feeling that envelops your heart and tries to take you down.

Maybe it’s January and the end of the holiday season, maybe it’s the load of work that comes with every new year, or maybe it’s simply the general contagious mood. Whatever the reason, I try to get out of it using different methods that generally involve cooking or dining with people I genuinely love.

For the days when there are no plans and everyone is too tired to go out, I like to make myself and the hubby something fast and comforting to have in front of the TV (if you’ve been following me, you should know I’m currently obsessed with Sherlock Holmes).

This soup is truly for the soul. I made it on a whim with a few vegetables I had lying around the fridge. It’s the ideal meal for a rainy night in. Just make sure you get freshly baked bread on your way home from work.

• 1 medium onion, diced
• 6 small zucchinis, sliced
• 2 medium carrots, sliced
• 1 tsp tomato paste
• 1 liter of water (or chicken stock)
• Fresh coriander leaves
• Chili powder, optional
• Salt and Pepper, to taste
• 3 Tbsp olive oil

1. In a large pot, heat 1.5 Tbsp of olive oil on low heat. Add the diced onions and toss until slightly golden
2. Add the diced zucchinis and carrots and toss until slightly golden on high heat, then season with salt and pepper.
3. Add the tomato paste, toss just once to cover the vegetables then add the water and bring to the boil
4. Once the water is boiled, lower the heat, season again with a bit of pepper, 1.5 Tbsp of olive oil and chili powder to taste, then let it simmer till it thickens
5. When the soup is almost done, add some fresh coriander leaves and mix them in
6. Serve hot and don’t forget to dip that fresh bread in!

Our bimonthly installment of BreadonButter, a blog that celebrates life’s little pleasure with the goal of inspiring readers through food, travel and design. For previous posts, click here .