From The Fridge: Real! Fresh Vegetable Soup!

A night at the Chef's house. Just the other night we made a fresh vegetable soup out of just those things in the fridge. How is your fridge stocked.....

3 tablespoons olive oil

1 ½ cups onion chopped
1 cup celery chopped
1 cup carrot peeled and chopped
3/4 cup bell pepper chopped
3 cloves garlic minced
2 ½ cups fresh zucchini chopped
1 ½ cups okra sliced
1 cup fresh green beans chopped
2-3 sprigs fresh thyme
1 quart vegetable or vegetable stock
2 cups tomatoes chopped
Salt and pepper to taste

In a large stock pot heat the olive oil over medium high heat and add the onion, celery and carrot. Sweat these vegetables for 8-10 minutes. Next add the garlic and continue to cook for 4-5 minutes. Next add in the zucchini, okra, green beans and thyme continuing to sweat over medium high heat for another few minutes. Next add the stock and tomatoes reduce the heat to low and simmer for 20-30 minutes. Finally season with salt and pepper to taste.