Bean Minestrone Soup

 The smell of bread baking this morning reminded me of this Bean Minestrone Soup that is one of my family's favorites.  The soup is light but hearty and is a perfect match for the No-Knead Bean Bread, great for lunch or a start to dinner.  Add in the vegetables your family likes and everyone will leave the table will a full belly and enough protein to last the whole day.

 Bean Minestrone Soup

The ingredients you will need.

Vegetables chopped, diced and minced.

Into the pot to be sautéed.

I added my assortment of fingerling potatoes from my garden.

Tomatoes are added to the simmering pot.

Oregano and basil (From my garden - I dried and ground it)

Water is added to finish the soup.....more simmering is required.

Beans are added along with the final ingredients.  Smells amazing!

Ready for sampling, sprinkled with some freshly grated Parmesan Cheese.

All you need is some fresh bread and butter.

BEAN MINESTRONE SOUP RECIPE

2-3 Tablespoons Olive oil

1 large onion, diced

1 carrot, diced

1 stalk celery, diced

1 small (6 inch) zucchini, diced

2 tomatoes or a (14 ounce) can diced tomatoes, do not drain

1 large potato, diced

3 cloves garlic, minced

8 cup water

3/4 cup small pasta

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 teaspoon dried basil or 2 Tablespoons fresh

1 can kidney beans, rinsed and drained (or beans of choice)

1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped

salt and pepper to taste

white wine vinegar (optional) I like a tang to my soup so add to taste

In a large pot, cook onion for 3 minutes, add carrot, celery, zucchini, garlic and potatoes.

Simmer for 3 minutes then add in the tomatoes and cook another 3 minutes.

Add the water and bring to a boil, add in pasta, basil and oregano and simmer uncovered until pasta is tender but firm and vegetables are cooked.  I add a parmesan rind in this step to add more flavour to the soup (and it's a good way to use the last bit of cheese on the rind) remove at the end.

This will cook another 12-14 minutes. Stir in the beans and bring back to a simmer for another 5 minutes, and season with salt and pepper to taste.  This is where I add some white wine vinegar for the added 'tang' that my family likes.

Serve with more grated parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes along with bread and butter.

Enjoy!

'May God fill your heart with much LOVE, your soul with PEACE, your mind with WISDOM, your body with GOOD HEALTH, your days with WONDERFUL MEMORIES, your family with HAPPINESS, and your life with TRUE CONTENTMENT.'