Not So Minestrone- Minestrone

minestrone- a thick soup containing vegetables and pasta.

Here's what we've been eating in these parts.

Minestrone Soup

(Source for image.)

1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
2 cloves, garlic, minced
2 ribs celery
2 zucchini, chopped
2 yellow squash, chopped
8 oz button mushrooms, sliced
1 can (28 oz.) crushed tomatoes
3 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
1 can (15 oz.) no-salt-added red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 bunch flat-leaf parsley, chopped

(Recipe Source.)

Combine  all but beans and parsley into a crock pot/pot and cook low 6-8 hours. Add beans and parsley and season with salt and pepper. Heat for about ten minutes and serve.

~250 calories per serving

*I realized after getting home that I had already used my zucchini (eek!) and the market was out of squash... I added in peas and green beans, and doubled my celery and carrots. The joy of minestrone is that .. you CAN do whatever pleases you. I didn't even slice my mushrooms. And you know what? It tasted great.

Note no pasta for a healthier variety. 


If you are strapped for time (teachers!) look what you can use....

Pre-cut, frozen veggies for stews and soups. Throw those babies in with some broth and crushed tomatoes and voila- you've got yourself a meal!