Minestrone Soup

I am not a very big fan of soup but there are some that I really like. One of the them is the Minestrone, specially the one you get at 'Olive Garden'. After several trials I have come as close as I possible can to re-creating it. Ofcourse what really goes into a minestrone soup is totally up to you.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 tsp olive oil

1 small onion minced

1/4 cup chopped zucchini

1/8 cup minced celery

2 tsp minced garlic

2-4 cups vegetable broth

1 can red kidney beans

1 can great northern beans

2 diced tomatoes

1/4 cup carrot shredded

1 tsp minced fresh parsley

3/4 tsp dried oregano

3/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp black pepper powder

1/4 tsp dried basil

1/8 tsp dried thyme

1 1/2 cups hot water

2 cups fresh baby spinach

1/4 cup small shell pasta

Directions:

Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large pot. Saute onion, celery, garlic, and zucchini in the oil for 5 minutes or until onions begin to turn translucent. Add vegetable broth to pot, plus tomatoes, drained beans, carrot, hot water, and spices.

Bring soup to a boil, then reduce heat and allow to simmer for 20 minutes.

Add spinach leaves and pasta and cook for an additional 20 minutes or until desired consistency.

I started with 2 cups of broth and then added more half way through. The amount of broth would really depend on the consistency that you would like. So make sure you have enough broth if needed.

bon appetit !!!