Minestrone Soup

Minestrone Soup

       Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 medium yellow/white onion, diced
• 1 cup diced carrot (2 large carrots)
• 1 cup diced celery (4-5 large stalks of celery)
• 1 cup diced zucchini (2 medium zucchini)
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning (or dried oregano, basil, rosemary and thyme)
• 1 tbsp tomato paste (optional)
• 1 28 oz. can of whole peeled tomatoes, puree`d
• 1 15 oz. can of canellini beans (drained and rinsed)
• 1 15 oz. can of red kidney beans (drained and rinsed)
• 1 32 oz. carton of vegetable/chicken broth
• 2 cups water, or as needed
• 1/8 tsp black pepper
• Salt, as needed
• 1/2 cup of dried pasta (extra small pasta shells, ditalini, orzo, or mini farfalle)
• 1 bag of spinach /kale/ collard greens/ mustard greens
• Garlic toast, for accompaniment
• Grated parmesan cheese, for garnish

Instructions:

1. Heat oil in a large dutch oven (or in Instant Pot set to saute` mode)
2. Add bay leaves, minced garlic, diced onion, red pepper flakes and saute`.
3. Add diced carrots, celery and saute` for 2-3 mins. 
4. Add dried herbs, tomato paste and mix. Add diced zucchini.
5. Puree` the whole tomatoes from the can and add it to the pot. Cook for 2-3 mins.
6. Add the broth, water, and season with salt and black pepper.
7. Add canellini and red kidney beans, dried pasta, spinach or other greens and cook for 8-10 mins. (If using Instant Pot, switch to soup mode, and set for 15 mins)
8. Melt 1/2 stick of butter in a small glass bowl until barely melted in the microwave, add 1 or 2 cloves of minced garlic and mix well. Apply to slices of baguette/french bread and bake in the oven at 350 degree F for 5-8 mins or until golden brown, to make crispy garlic toast to dip in the soup. You can also serve the soup with breadsticks/crackers.
9. Garnish with freshly grated parmesan cheese just before serving.

Note: You can use different seasonal vegetables such as snow peas and asparagus or potatoes to switch up the recipe.

Source: Adapted from several different recipes, and tweaked to taste as close to the Olive Garden Minestrone Soup as possible.