Gypsy soup

This is a rich, Spanish style soup almost like a stew, easy to make, filling and super delicious!

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 3 medium garlic cloves,crushed
• 1 stalk celery, minced
• 2 cups peeled, diced sweet potatoes
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons mild paprika
• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• 1 teaspoon basil
• A dash of cinnamon
• A dash of cayenne
• 1 bay leaf
• 3 cups water
• 2 medium ripe size tomatoes, diced, or 1 cup of canned diced tomatoes
• 1 medium red bell pepper diced
• 1 ½ cups cooked chick peas (or 1 can)

Instructions: 

1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot.
2. Add onion, garlic, celery, and sweet potato and sautée over medium heat for about 5 minutes. Add seasonings and water, cover and simmer about 15 minutes.
3. Add tomatoes, bell pepper and chick peas. Cover and simmer for about 10 minutes, or until all the vegetables are as tender as you like them. Taste to adjust seasonings, and serve.

The vegetables in this soup can be combined with any other green vegetable. Carrots, pumpkin or squash could fill in for the sweet potatoes.