Who doesn't like Minestrone Soup on a cold day with a fresh loaf of hearty bread?
Well, you're crazy if you don't!
I seem to be making a lot of soups lately. Maybe a winter thing? They completely warm me up on a cold day--and this soup is no exception. It is so good--and it's pretty healthy too!
This recipe has been slightly adapted. . .original recipe comes from my sweet mother-in-law.
This recipe serves about 6 - 8 large servings.
In a large pot brown:
1 pound mild Italian sausage
Add and cook on medium heat for about 5 minutes:
2 medium onions, diced
2 cloves garlic, chopped
2 celery stalks, diced
3 large carrots, diced
Add:
6 cups beef broth
1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
3 (15 oz) cans diced tomatoes
1 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
3/4 tablespoon dried parsely
Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for about 2 hours.
In the meantime, cut about 1/2 pound fresh green French beans into 1/2 inch pieces. Add to boiling water and cook for 5 - 7 minutes. Drain and set aside. *If you don't want to use fresh beans, add 1 can green beans at time of garbanzo beans and pasta.
After soup has simmered, add:
1 can garbanzo beans, drained
1 cup small pasta (I use Chifferi or elbow pasta)
Cook for about 7 - 8 minutes, or until pasta is tender. Add cooked green beans and serve.
