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Minestrone

Ingredients
  

  • 4 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
  • 2 medium carrots, chopped
  • 2 medium ribs celery, chopped
  • ¼ cup tomato paste
  • 2 cups chopped seasonal vegetables (potatoes, yellow squash, zucchini, pumpkin, green beans, peas ...)
  • 4 cloves garlic
  • ½ tsp oregano (dried or fresh)
  • ½ tsp thyme (dried or fresh)
  • 900 gms tomatoes (fresh or canned)
  • 4 cups vegetable broth or stock
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 pinch chilli flakes
  • freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 cup wholegrain orecchiette, elbow or small shell pasta
  • 1.5 cups white beans
  • 2 cups baby spinach, or chopped silverbeet, kale or collard greens
  • 2 tspns lemon juice
  • Freshly grated parmesan or nutritional yeast

Instructions
 

  • Warm 3 tablespoons of the olive oil in a large Dutch oven or stockpot over medium heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the chopped onion, carrot, celery, tomato paste and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring often, until the vegetables have softened and the onions are turning translucent. About 7-10 minutes.
  • Add the seasonal vegetables, garlic, oregano and thyme. Cook until fragrant while stirring frequently. About 2 minutes.
  • Pour in the diced tomatoes and their juices, broth and water. Add the salt, bay leaves and chilli flakes. Season generously with freshly ground black pepper.
  • Raise heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a boil, then partially cover the pot with the lid, leaving about a 1" gap for steam to escape. Reduce heat as necessary to maintain a gentle simmer.
  • Cook for 15 minutes, then remove the lid and add the pasta, beans and greens. Continue simmering, uncovered, for 20 minutes or until the pasta is cooked al dente and the greens are tender.
  • Remove the pot from the heat, then remove the bay leaves. Stir in the lemon juice and remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Taste and season with more salt and pepper until the flavours really sing. Garnish bowls of soup with grated parmesan or nutritional yeast.