Use-It-Up Vegetable Soup

Heat oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add onion and cook, stirring frequently, until tender, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 45 seconds. Add vegetables, broth, potato, oats, salt and bay leaf. Bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables smash easily when pressed against the side of the pot, 30 to 40 minutes.

Discard the bay leaf. Puree the soup in the pot with an immersion blender or in batches in a blender. (Use caution when blending hot liquids.) Add lemon juice, nutmeg, cayenne and pepper. Thin with additional broth, if desired. Garnish with herbs and cheese (or nutritional yeast), if desired.