Minestrone
Ingredients:
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 large onion, chopped
2 litres chicken or vegetable stock
2 large carrots, diced
3 stick celery with leaves, chopped
1 large potato, peeled and chopped
3 small zucchini, chopped
10 green beans, chopped
1/2 sliced mushrooms
2 x 400 g cans salt-free tomatoes and juice
1 teaspoon marjoram
1 cup skinless cooked chicken, chopped
3 cups cooked haricot beans
1/2 cup cooked wholemeal macaroni or 1/2 cup cooked brown rice
Black pepper to taste
In a large saucepan, combine all ingredients except the chicken, haricot beans and rice or macaroni. Cover and cook for 1 hour. Add the three remaining ingredients and cook for a further 5-10 mins or until soup is heated. Serve immediately.
Note: For a garnish, cut some leftover wholemeal or grain bread into cubes. Place in a bowl and add a little parmesan cheese, lots of crushed garlic and a little vegetable oil. Toss lightly and place cubes on a non-stick paper-lined baking tray in a hot oven until they turn golden brown and crunchy. Place a generous serving on top of each bowl of soup.
