Ingredients

  • 2 TBSP Olive Oil
  • 4 cloves of garlic, chopped
  • 2 stalkes of celery, chopped
  • 2-3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, 1/2" cubed
  • 1 medium onion, halved
  • 2 eggplants, halved lengthwise
  • 2 red bell peppers, halved & seeded
  • 1 green bell pepper, halved & seeded
  • 2 Roma tomatoes, halved
  • 1/4 cup sundried tomatoes, chopped
  • 5 sprigs of fresh thyme or 2 tsp dried thyme
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 4 cups vegetable or chicken stock
  • 1 can diced tomatoes, with juice
  • 1 lemon, freshly squeezed
  • Fresh ground black pepper to taste
  • Kosher Salt to taste
  • Basil Leaves, slivered

Method

  • 1. Pre-heat broiler and place the onion, tomatoes, eggplants, and bell peppers 4-5" from boiler for 10 minutes or until charred and softened.
  • Leave to cool slightly. Coarsely chop.
  • 2. Heat 1 tbsp. olive oil in a large stockpot. Add garlic and celery and brown slightly.
  • 3. Brown chicken in a separate saute pan with the other tbsp of olive oil and set aside.
  • 4. Add the vegetable stock, canned tomatoes, chopped vegetables, sun-dried tomatoes, thyme, bay leaves to the garlic/celery. Bring to boil, cover and simmer gently for 25 minutes.
  • 5. Cool slightly, removed bay leaves, transfer the vegetables to a food processor using a slotted spoon. Process briefly to retain some of the vegetable texture.
  • 6. Return soup to pan. Add chicken. Season to taste with salt & pepper, add the lemon juice and reheat. Garnish with Basil leaves and serve with hearty bread for a delicious hearty meal.
  • Can be refrigerated in air-tight containers for several days for a perfect take-to-work lunch.