Minestrone

Ingredients

• olive oil
• 1 brown onion, chopped
• 1 clove garlic, crushed
• 1 leek, sliced
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 2 celery sticks, chopped
• 1 large zucchini, diced
• 400g can crushed tomatoes
• 1.5 litres vegetable stock (2 stock cubes normally works)
• 2 cups shredded spinach leaves
• 120g small pasta shapes (e.g., orzo)
• 400g can cannellini beans (or other beans)
• fresh parsley, to serve
• parmesan cheese, to serve

Method

• Fry onion, garlic, leek, carrot and celery. Cook for 7-8 minutes until softened. This base gives the soup its flavour.
• Add the zucchini and tomatoes. Cook for 2 minutes.
• Add the stock and 2 cups of water. Bring to the boil and cook for 30 minutes.
• Add the beans, pasta and spinach and cook for another 20 minutes.
• Server with fresh parsley and grated parmesan. You can also drizzle on a little olive oil.

Source

The Perfect Cookbook