BEAN MINESTRONE

SOUP, growing up Mom always had a pot of soup for supper.  It could have been vegetable, pea, mushroom or one of many others.  Bean Minestrone is a soup that I have been making for my family for many, many years.  It's very quick to make, versatile and filling - you can change the vegetables to what you may have on hand in the fridge and pantry.  Soup is just so very filling and comforting and uses simple ingredients.  I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as my family does.

 

 

BEAN MINESTRONE

 Mmmmm....so warm and filling.

The ingredients you will need.

 

 The vegetables all diced and ready for the pot.

 

 The onions have sauteed and the tomatoes and vegetables have been added.

 Spinach is added after the tomato vegetable mixture has simmered for a bit.

 

 Water is added and brought to a boil.

 

 Pasta and herbs have been added and it's smelling very fragrant.

Simmer for another 10 minutes or so until the vegetables and pasta are tender.

 

 

Parmesan Cheese is shredded and ready to sprinkle over the soup in your bowl.

 If I have left over Parmesan rind I will drop it into the soup as it simmers,

adding a wonderful depth of flavour to the soup.

The finished Bean Minestrone all ready for dinner.

Add some cheese and bread and you are set!

 

 Hearty, and fragrant....beautiful to eat and look at.

 

BEAN MINESTRONE SOUP RECIPE

 

3-4 Tbsp. olive oil

1 large onion, diced

1 carrot, diced

1 stalk celery, diced

1 small zucchini, diced ( or spinach/swiss chard)

2 tomatoes, diced or 1- 14 oz. can diced, do not drain

1 large potato, peeled and diced

3 cloves garlic, minced

8 cups water

3/4 cup small pasta

1 tsp dried oregano

1 tsp dried basil or 2 Tbsp fresh

1 can 14 oz. kidney beans ( or your favorite bean), drained

1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped

Salt and Pepper to taste.

4-6 Tbsp. red wine vinegar ( optional) but it adds a bit of tang.

In a large pot saute onions in the olive oil, stirring occasionally for 3 minutes.

Add carrots, celery, zucchini, tomatoes, potato and garlic.

 Cook 3 minutes, add the water and bring to a boil.

Stir in pasta, oregano and basil. Cook uncovered until pasta is tender but firm and

 vegetables are cooked (10-12 minutes).

Add the beans, Parmesan and parsley(and red wine vinegar to taste).

  Season with salt and pepper.

Makes 8 large servings.

 

 "A dream you dream alone  is only a dream.  A dream you dream together is reality."

John Lennon