Vegetables And Small Shells Soup Food

SIMPLE ITALIAN MINESTRONE SOUP

Steps:

• In a large Dutch oven, heat the extra virgin olive oil over medium heat until shimmering but not smoking. Add onions, carrots and celery. Raise heat to medium-high, if you need to, and cook, tossing regularly, until the veggies soften a bit (about 5 minutes or so). Add the garlic and cook another minute, tossing regularly.
• Add the zucchini or yellow squash and green beans. Season with paprika, rosemary, and a generous pinch of kosher salt and pepper. Toss to combine.
• Now add the crushed tomatoes, broth, fresh thyme, bay leaf and Parmesan rind (if using.) Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer and partially cover the pot. Let simmer for about 20 minutes or so.
• Uncover the pot and add the kidney beans. Cook for another 5 to 10 minutes.
• Finally, Stir in the parsley and fresh basil. And, if serving immediately, stir in the cooked pasta and simmer ever so briefly till the pasta is warmed through; do not overcook. (See Cook's Tip #2)
• Remove the cheese rind and bay leaf. Taste and adjust seasoning to your liking. Serve the minestrone hot in dinner bowls with a sprinkle of grated Parmesan (optional.)

MINESTRONE SOUP WITH PASTA, BEANS AND VEGETABLES

Steps:

• In a slow cooker, combine broth, tomatoes, beans, carrots, celery, onion, thyme, sage, bay leaves, and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and black pepper. Cover and cook on LOW for 6 to 8 hours or on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours.
• Thirty minutes before the soup is done cooking, add ditalini, zucchini and spinach. Cover and cook 30 more minutes. Remove bay leaves and season, to taste, with salt and black pepper. Ladle soup into bowls and sprinkle parmesan cheese over top. Garnish with basil, if desired.

VEGETABLES AND SMALL SHELLS SOUP

Steps:

• The key is a flavorful stock - refer to my stock recipes for tips if needed - store bought may be resorted to and my tip would be low sodium - low fat - College Inn or Swansons.
• In a large soup pot add 1 tbsp olive oil - add the first 4 ingredients and saute till onions are clear. Add mushrooms and add salt and pepper to taste. Add bay leaves, herbs, stock and simmer over medium heat for 45 minutes.
• Add remaining ingredients, including shells cook for 10-15 minutes (add a cup or two of water if you think the soup is to thick - the shells do take up some moisture as they are cooked into the soup) and remove from heat - serve with a slice of crusty bread and some fresh grated parmesan cheese.

VERSATILE VEG SOUP

Steps:

• Fry the vegetables and potatoes in a pan with the oil for a few minutes until beginning to soften.
• Cover with the stock and simmer for 10-15 mins until the veg is tender. Blend until smooth, then season. Serve with a dollop of crème fraîche and some fresh herbs. Will freeze for up to one month.

SHELL SOUP

Steps:

• Brown pasta in oil in large sauce pan. Add tomato sauce and fill pan 3/4 full of water. Add bouillon cubes and seasoning. When macaroni is soft, turn heat down to low and add cheese.