Mum’s Vegetable Soup

A Very Simple Vegetable Soup

Mum’s Vegetable Soup is an easy to make soup without any oil, dried herbs, or spices besides pepper powder. Its one of the healthiest, nutritious and comforting soups that I enjoy. All you need are fresh vegetables like peas, potato, cauliflower, carrot, tomato, French beans and fresh corn if available.

Why is it called Mum’s Vegetable Soup

My mum didn’t know how to cook any other cuisine bedsides the Gujarati one. However some of her simple attempts at something different were definitely her own style like her pasta dish or her peas and egg pulao. One such preparation was the simple vegetable soup.

The Nairobi Agricultural Show was a big event for our family. We would have a stall at the show selling toys and hobby items like trains, balsam wood, airplane kits, meccano, scalextric, playpex, etc. Whoever manned the stall couldn’t come home for lunch. My mum would pack some food which had to be simple and yet filling. She would usually pack vegetable soup in a big flask and cucumber tomato sandwiches.  No fancy sandwich spread but just buttered slices. The best meal ever. Mum’s Vegetable Soup was the answer to any illness too. It was and still is the most comforting meal during an illness.

Did I mention, that the annual show was what we looked forward to? So many different companies and countries would have their stalls. It was just fun time for us. We had to go over the weekend to help out at the stall.

Whenever we were sick, mum would make this soup for us. I did the same for my kids. To make it a bit exciting for them, I would add some pasta. Adding freshly chopped coriander takes the flavour of the soup to another level.

What Vegetables can you use for Mum’s Vegetable Soup?

I have tried making this soup with mushrooms, zucchini, onion, cabbage, leek, zucchini and so many other vegetables but its not the same. So I prefer to use peas, carrots, cauliflower, potato, tomato, French beans and fresh corn whenever possible. However, you can use vegetables of your choice. It seems mum’s hands had magic as the simplest dish tasted the yummiest. I miss all the pampering and the food she use to prepare for me whenever we visited each other.

What is the Soup usually served with?

We mostly enjoy it with buttered toast, with sandwiches or on its own.

Other Mum’s Dishes That I Loved:

• Mum’s Buitoni
• Keri Nu Shaak/ Mango Curry
• Vaghareli Rotli
• Mum’s famous Handvo made on a sigri/ jiko
• Dhebra– which she would always make for picnics and drive- in movie outings
• Flaky Farsi Puri– which we all simply loved
• Maida Na Parotha

Dietary Tips:

• gluten free
• vegan friendly
• Its Satvik friendly
• Ideal for those recovering from illness
• Perfect for kids and the elderly
• Diet Soup