Anything Minestrone

This aptly named soup is a perfect winter warmer to help deliver those vital nutrients in an easy to make, deeply flavoursome meal. Delicious and versatile, this low-cost recipe makes a very filling soup which is low in fat and very nutritious. This soup will give a comforting healthy hug if you are feeling under the weather, and what could be better on a cold soggy day, than the heavenly warming aroma of a big pot of goodness simmering on the stove top!
Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 40 mins
Can be frozen for up to 3 months. Defrost thoroughly before heating through.
Ingredients: - but not limited to - add or replace with what veggies and beans you have to hand.
1 Tbsp Extra virgin olive oil
1 medium onion – chopped
1 large carrot – chopped
2 sticks celery – finely sliced
3 cloves garlic minced
2” ginger – peeled and grated
1 Small sweet potato – peeled and chopped
1 Red pepper – de-seeded and chopped
400g tin chopped tomatoes
3 Tbsp Tomato Puree
400g tin cannellini, kidney beans or chick peas.
1 litre chicken / veg stock
Handful of kale / spinach – chopped
Handful peas ( can be frozen)
100g whole-wheat spaghetti – broken into bits/ macaroni or any other pasta.
2 tsp flat leaf parsley
Method:
Heat olive oil in large lidded pan.
Gently cook onion, carrot, celery, garlic, and ginger 15 mins until softened.
Add sweet potato, red pepper, tomatoes, puree, beans, and 1 litre stock. Cover with a lid and bring to the boil, then simmer for 15 mins.
Add , kale /spinach, peas and pasta and simmer until the pasta is cooked.
Add parsley and stir through.
Season to taste with pepper and serve with crusty seeded wholemeal bread.
*If you like things a little spicy, add ¼ tsp cayenne powder to the stock.
Shredded chicken or any beans and veggies you have to hand can be added to this dish too