Minestrone
This is a basic hearty soup. You can substitute other
vegetables, either cooked or raw; whatever is seasonal or on hand. The more veggies that are
added, the heartier and more complex the soup.
Calorie: 214, Proteins: 12 g, Total Fat: 6 g, Fiber: 6.50 g, Sugar 7 g.
Preparation
Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy bottomed pot.
Add onions, celery, and garlic and sauté until the vegetables are
tender, but not yet browned. Add basil and marjoram leaves and stir for one to two
minutes.
Add chopped zucchini and cook for another few minutes. Pour in chicken
or vegetable broth, the cooked beans and the tomatoes. Cover, bring to a boil, and then reduce
heat to simmer.
Allow the soup to cook for about 45 minutes, stirring occasionally. If
the soup looks thicker than desired, add some water, 1 cup (240mL) at a time.
When it almost looks like soup, add the chopped cabbage and parsley and
cook for about 10 minutes more.
Add some freshly ground black pepper to taste.
At this point the soup is done. If a heartier soup is desired, a
handful of small sized pasta can be added; then the soup needs to be cooked for an additional
10 minutes.
Serve with sprinkling of Parmesan cheese over the top, if desired.