Rustic Tomato Rice Kale Soup - (Vegan & GF)

 Rustic Tomato Rice Kale Soup - (Vegan & GF)

Serves 4-6

INGREDIENTS:

28 oz. can of fire-roasted tomatoes OR 4-6 whole tomatoes
3 cups vegetable broth

2 cups water
1.5 cups nutritional yeast
1 bunch of curly kale, cut in bite sized pieces
1-1/4^th cups rice

2 Tbsp oil
1 cup organic carrots, cut into bite sized rounds

½ cup organic celery, finely diced

1 medium sized sweet onion, chopped finely
2 bay leaves (remove before serving)
1 heaping tbsp chili powder
pepper/salt to taste (at least 1/2 tsp salt)
1 tsp garlic powder
2-4 pinches of cayenne (to taste - adds warmth) - optional

DIRECTIONS:

1. In a large stock pan on medium heat, drizzle with oil. Add carrots, onions and celery. Cook for about 3-5 min. Add bay leaves , garlic powder and chili powder.

2. Add your tomatoes to a blender or food processor. Blend on low until smooth.

3. Pour the tomato mixture, water, vegetable broth and rice into the stock pan. Bring to a boil. Turn on high heat, takes about 5-10 min.

4. After boiling state has been reached turn the burner to low heat and simmer for about 20-30 min or until the rice is soft. The soup will thicken as the rice absorbs some of the liquid.

5. Then add in nutritional yeast and kale. Give it a good stir and let set for another 5 min before serving. Season to taste adding more spice and salt if desired at the end as well. Serve immediately and Enjoy!

NOTES-This soup is a little on the thicker side but  my husband loves thicker soups so it pleased his palate. If you prefer more liquid soups add 1 extra cup of water.

** This is probably one of my FAVORITE,  most tasty and EASY soups I have ever made.!!!