The Promised Land for a Chilly Day

Warm up on even the chilliest of days with "The Promised Land for a Chilly Day," a soul-soothing vegetable soup that’s as hearty as it is comforting. Packed with wholesome ingredients like creamy white beans, russet potatoes, and tender baby spinach, this recipe balances vibrant smoked paprika with the earthiness of thyme and a touch of optional heavy cream for added indulgence. Optimized for simplicity, it comes together in just 50 minutes, making it perfect for busy evenings. Blending part of the soup creates a velvety texture while leaving chunks of vegetables for satisfying bites, and a sprinkle of fresh parsley adds a bright, flavorful finish. Whether served as a light dinner or alongside crusty bread for dipping, this one-pot wonder is sure to become your go-to recipe for cozy, flavorful comfort all winter long.

Nutriscore Rating: 80/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:35 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
• 2 medium celery stalks, diced
• 1 large russet potato, peeled and diced
• 6 cups vegetable broth
• 15 ounces canned white beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 0.5 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 cups baby spinach
• 0.25 cup heavy cream (optional)
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Directions

Step 1

Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, then add the olive oil.

Step 2

Add the diced onion and cook for 3–4 minutes until softened and translucent.

Step 3

Stir in the minced garlic and sauté for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 4

Add the diced carrots, celery, and potato, stirring to coat them in the oil. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 5

Pour in the vegetable broth and add the drained white beans, thyme, smoked paprika, bay leaf, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine.

Step 6

Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 20–25 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender and easily pierced with a fork.

Step 7

Remove the bay leaf from the soup. Use an immersion blender to puree a portion of the soup directly in the pot for a creamy texture, or transfer 2 cups of the soup to a blender, puree, and return it to the pot.

Step 8

Stir in the baby spinach and cook for 2–3 minutes until wilted.

Step 9

If desired, add the heavy cream for extra richness and stir well to combine.

Step 10

Taste and adjust seasonings with additional salt and pepper, if needed.

Step 11

Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with chopped parsley before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2636.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1726.5

Total Fat 64.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 21.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 6.9g
Cholesterol 66.8mg	0%
Sodium 6425.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 240.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 51.1g	0%
Total Sugars 40.0g
Protein 60.6g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 683.4mg	0%
Iron 21.0mg	0%
Potassium 6086.0mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 32.4%

Protein: 13.6%

Carbs: 54.0%