Good vegetable soup

INGREDIENTS

• 2 tbsp olive or sunflower oil
• 1 onion
• 1 garlic
• 1 bouquet garni
• and/or 1-2 fresh red chillies, de-seeded and chopped
• or 1 tsp or more curry paste or curry powder
• 1 potato
• 500g/18oz vegetables
• 1-1.5 litres/1¾-2¾ pints) vegetable or chicken stock
• salt
• freshly ground black pepper