A note from Ruth: This is the soup I make every week during the winter. I use a large microwave bowl with a lid. It’s fine on the stove but takes longer. It would work in a slow cooker too.
Lazy Winter Soup
Start with a pack of King traditional vegetable soup mix. (or gluten-free).
Follow the instructions on the package. For the microwave mix with 8 cups of water and microwave for 30 minutes on full power. (Reduce if it boils over and extends the time)
Prepare about 2- 3 cups of whatever vegetables you have in the house. I always use one onion and one carrot. Then any of these: pumpkin, kumara, cauliflower, parsnip, swede, celery, broccoli. Being lazy I throw all except celery into the food processor and chop finely. Other people might like to chop them.
Add them to the soup mix with 4 more ups of water.
Microwave for another 30 -40 minutes. At this stage mine sometimes boils over. If it does I use 60-70% power for about an hour. Stir once or twice. When the barley is soft it’s ready.
I freeze it in 300-500mil containers. Lunch is organised for the week.
