Tomato & rice soup - Good Food Middle East

Ingredients

• 2 tsp olive oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1 carrot, finely chopped
• 1 celery stick, finely chopped
• 1 tbsp golden caster sugar
• 2 tbsp vinegar (white, red or balsamic)
• 1 tbsp tomato purée
• 400g can chopped tomatoes or passata
• 1l vegetable stock made with 2 cubes
• 140g rice (long-grain, basmati, wild, brown or a mixture)
• ¼ small pack parsley, leaves only, chopped, and a few drops of pesto, to serve (optional)