Hidden Vegetable Consommé with Herb Essence
A clear, delicate broth where vegetables are simmered to invisibility, releasing their essence into a fragrant, herb-infused broth. This french-inspired soups ready in about 65 minutes pairs finely diced carrots, finely diced celery, thinly sliced leeks for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 80 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 cup, finely diced carrots
- 1 cup, finely diced celery
- 1 cup, thinly sliced leeks
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh parsley
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh tarragon
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh chives
- 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large pot, combine 1 cup diced carrots, 1 cup diced celery, 1 cup sliced leeks, and 2 tbsp tomato paste. Cook over medium heat for 5 minutes, stirring frequently until vegetables are softened.
- Step 2: Add 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth, 1/4 cup chopped parsley, 1/4 cup chopped tarragon, and 1/4 cup chopped chives to the pot. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook uncovered for 45 minutes, skimming any foam that rises to the surface.
- Step 3: Strain the consommé through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean pot, pressing gently on the solids to extract liquid but leaving pulp behind. Discard solids.
- Step 4: Return consommé to heat and stir in 1 tbsp lemon juice, salt, and black pepper to taste. Simmer for 2 minutes until flavors meld. Serve warm.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Hidden Vegetable Consommé with Herb Essence take to make?
Total time is about 65 minutes (20 min prep + 45 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Hidden Vegetable Consommé with Herb Essence?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep finely diced carrots from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Hidden Vegetable Consommé with Herb Essence?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Hidden Vegetable Consommé with Herb Essence for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Hidden Vegetable Consommé with Herb Essence?
French soups like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
The aroma while cooking this was absolutely heavenly.
- ★★★★☆
Tasty recipe. I'd add a bit more seasoning next time.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
