Minestrone

Minestrone is a tasty vegetable soup with tomatoes, beans and pasta. A filling, tasty meal or snack that's perfect on cool winter days - and a great way to get veggies into kids and families. 

Cooking directions

• Heat a little oil in a large saucepan. Add garlic, onion, carrot and celery and cook for 2 or 3 minutes.
• Add pasta, stock and bay leaves and bring to the boil. Reduce heat and gently simmer for 10 to 15 minutes.
• Add canned tomatoes, cannellini or kidney beans, frozen green beans, oregano and basil. Cook for another few minutes.
• The soup is ready when the pasta is tender and the soup is hot. Remove from heat.
• Season with freshly ground black pepper.
• Serve in bowls or cups with wholegrain toast, cheese melts or quesadillas. Sprinkle minestrone with a little grated parmesan.

Tip:

• Add 2 cups shredded cabbage (add at the same time as pasta).

Ingredients

1 onion, peeled and finely chopped

2 carrots, finely chopped

2 stalks celery, finely chopped

2 cloves garlic, crushed

1/2 cup macaroni

2 1/2 cups low-salt vegetable stock, or one teaspoon stock powder per cup of water

2 1/2 cups water

2 dried bay leaves, optional

2 tins chopped tomatoes (410 gram tin)

1 can cannellini or kidney beans (400g can)

1/2 cup frozen green beans

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 teaspoon dried basil

1/2 cup grated parmesan