Step 1: Sauté the onion and garlic
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic, and sauté for 5-7 minutes until softened and fragrant.
Step 2: Add the vegetables
- Add the diced carrots, celery, potatoes, courgette, and red pepper to the pot. Stir to combine and cook for another 5 minutes to let the vegetables soften slightly.
Step 3: Add the tomatoes and stock
- Pour in the canned tomatoes and vegetable stock, then stir in the dried thyme and bay leaf. Season with salt and pepper. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
Step 4: Adjust the seasoning
- Once the vegetables are cooked through, taste the soup and adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.
Step 5: Serve
- Remove the bay leaf before serving. Ladle the James Martin Vegetable Soup into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley if desired. Serve hot with crusty bread or a side salad.