Versatile Vegetable Soup

"Versatile Vegetable Soup" (page 148) is your basic and comforting veggie soup, the one you will turn to when nothing else will do. With onions, carrots, celery, potatoes, peas, and bell pepper as a starting point, you can change this up with whatever you are in the mood for, or whatever is in your pantry or refrigerator.  You can use the broth of your choice or water for the liquid, and vary the vegetables as you see fit.  I used a light tomato based broth and the vegetables as listed in the recipe.  The chickpeas add a little oomph to the soup, as well as a little chew.  A very satisfying soup all the way around.  I omitted sautéing the veggies in oil, using a little of the broth instead (no other changes needed to make this McDougall friendly).  I also added a teaspoon of Italian seasoning since it seemed to go so well with the veggies and tomato based broth.