Spinach and Vegetable Soup

INGREDIENTS

1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 small garlic clove
½ (30 g) small onion, peeled, quartered
1 (80 g) celery stalk, cut into chunks
½ (40 g) small carrot, peeled, halved
½ (80 g) small zucchini
2 cups (60 g) fresh spinach
1 (260 g) medium russet potato, steamed, peeled, halved, divided
⅛ teaspoon dried thyme
2 cups (480 ml) vegetable broth
½ teaspoon salt, optional
½ teaspoon ground black pepper

DIRECTIONS

1. Sauté garlic, onion, celery, and carrots in olive oil until soft, about 3 minutes.
2. Place broth, garlic, onion, celery, carrots, zucchini, fresh spinach, half of the potato (130 g), and thyme into the Vitamix container in the order listed and secure the lid.
3. Start the blender on its lowest speed, then quickly increase to its highest speed.
4. Blend for 5 minutes 45 seconds. Stop the blender.
5. Remove the lid plug and add remaining potato (130 g) through the lid plug opening. Select Variable 2 and start the blender. Blend for 5 to 10 seconds, or until desired consistency. Season to taste.