Simple Russian Soup

Ingredients

• 1 ½ tsp salt
• 1 Tbsp unsalted butter
• ¼ tsp ground black pepper
• 2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 large carrot, grated
• 1/2 red pepper, sliced
• 5 medium potatoes, cubed
• 3/4 lb chicken, thighs or breast, cut into bite-zed pieces
• 12 cups water (or water and chicken broth)
• 1 tsp oil
• 6 oz angel hair pasta
• 1 ½ tsp Vegeta (or favorite seasoning)
• 1 bay leaf, broken into pieces