Source: Is it soup yet? Recipes by Dot Vartan
Makes 10 servings.
Preparation time: 1:10 hours
Tips: Hearty soup, almost a meal.
Minestrone
Ingredients
Preparation
1 (28 ounce) can Italian style tomatoes
2 bay leaves
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon ground or dried oregano, see note (1)
2 teaspoons dried parsley
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 cup chopped zucchini
1 cup chopped green beans
1 small onion, chopped
1 cup chopped carrots
1 (8 ounce) can tomato paste
7 cups beef broth
1 cup medium shell pasta
1 (15 ounce) can dark red kidney beans
1 (16 ounce ) bag frozen sweet peas
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese (optional), at table
1. Pour the Italian style tomatoes into a 6 quart stock pot. Chop the tomatoes into bite- size pieces. Add the bay leaves, garlic powder, oregano, dried parsley, dried basil, salt and ground pepper and cook over medium heat. 2. Chop the zucchini and add to the stock pot. Chop the remaining vegetables and add to the stock pot. Stir in the tomato paste. Add the beef broth and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 1/2 hour.
3. While the soup is simmering, in a medium saucepan, bring 1 1/2 quarts of water to a boil. Add pasta shells. Return water to boil and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring frequently. Drain and set aside
4. Drain and rinse the kidney beans. Add to the soup beans and peas and simmer for 1/2 hour. Add the cooked pasta. Cook until the pasta is heated, about 10 minutes.
5. Remove the bay leaves and serve.
NOTE: 1) Reduce or increase oregano and basil spices to you taste. Start with a small amount and add to taste during cooking.
Makes 10 servings of spicy hearty soup.
