Vegetarian Minestrone Food

UNCLE BILL'S VEGETARIAN MINESTRONE SOUP

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat.
• Add chopped onion and sauté for 4 minutes or until just lightly browned.
• Add water, zucchini, carrots, canellini beans, celery, basil, oregano salt, pepper, tomatoes and garlic.
• Bring to boil; reduce heat, cover and simmer on medium-low heat for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Add macaroni, cover and cook an additional 10 minutes.
• Adjust spices to suit your taste.
• Serve hot.

VEGAN MINESTRONE SOUP

Steps:

• Prepare the pasta according to the instructions on the package. Set aside.
• Heat some oil in a large pot and sauté the onion for about 2 minutes. Then add the garlic for another minute.
• After one more minute, add the leek and then the carrots, the celery, and the zucchini. Cook for about 2-3 minutes, then stir in one teaspoon of the Mediterranean spice blend.
• Add the vegetable broth. Add the diced tomatoes and stir well with a wooden spoon.
• Cook on low heat for about 10 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, fresh oregano, and the remaining spices.
• Add the cooked pasta and the beans and allow to heat through.

SLOW COOKER VEGETARIAN MINESTRONE

Steps:

• Combine vegetable broth, tomatoes, kidney beans, onion, celery, carrots, green beans, zucchini, garlic, parsley, oregano, salt, thyme, and black pepper in a 6-quart slow cooker.
• Cook on Low for 6 to 8 hours.
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until cooked through but firm to the bite, 8 minutes; drain.
• Stir spinach and macaroni into minestrone; cook another 15 minutes. Top with Parmesan cheese.

CLASSIC MINESTRONE SOUP

Steps:

• 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 to 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 red pepper 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 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 (I usually add about 1/4 teaspoon more) and pepper until the flavors really sing. Garnish bowls of soup with grated Parmesan, if you'd like.

VEGETARIAN MINESTRONE SOUP

Steps:

• Slowly bring the soup to a low simmer and allow to cook over very low heat for at least 45 minutes and up to 1 hour, or until vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally.
• Enjoy!

VEGETARIAN MINESTRONE

Steps:

• Place onion in saucepan with one tablespoon water and saute until clear.
• Add remaining water and vegetables and bring to the boil.
• Cover, reduce heat to medium-low and cook for 25 minutes.
• Add macaroni, cover and cook for another 10 minutes.
• Place in large bowls, sprinkle with cheese, and serve with crusty bread.

VEGAN MINESTRONE SOUP

Steps:

• In a large dutch oven or pot, add the oil or water and saute the onion, carrot and celery for 5 minutes.
• Alternately, you can skip sauteing and add all the ingredients, except for the spinach, to a large pot, bring to a boil and continue with the recipe as written. This makes for one less step!
• Add remaining ingredients, except the spinach, bring to a boil, cover askew, reduce heat to low and simmer at a gentle boil for 20 - 25 minutes, stirring occasionally. Soup is done when veggies are tender and pasta is cooked. Add more broth or water as needed.
• Five minutes before soup is done, add the spinach and stir to mix.
• Let soup cool a few minutes and serve with a squeeze of lemon and chopped parsley on top. Pairs will with homemade Vegan Cornbread, crusty Artisan Bread or soft and chewy Vegan Naan for soaking up the juices.
• Serves 4 - 6
• Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. This soup also freezes well and will last for up to 2 months.

VEGETARIAN MINESTRONE

Steps:

• In a large pot (6 to 8 quarts), heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium heat. Add onion, leek, carrot, and garlic; cook, stirring frequently, until onion is translucent, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in zucchini, cabbage, and rosemary; cook, stirring, until vegetables are coated, 1 to 2 minutes.
• Add tomatoes and enough water (about 6 cups) to cover vegetables by 1 inch. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to a simmer. Season with salt and pepper. Cook until vegetables are tender and soup is thickened, about 10 minutes.
• Stir in beans and pasta; cook until pasta is al dente, 10 to 15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Divide among bowls. Garnish with Parmesan, and drizzle with oil, as desired.

SLOW-COOKER VEGETARIAN MINESTRONE

Steps:

• Add the beans, carrots, garlic, bay leaves, celery, sweet potato, onion, crushed red pepper flakes, Parmesan rind, if using, 1 tablespoon salt and a few grinds of black pepper to the insert of a 6-quart slow cooker. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, tomato paste and 4 cups water. Cover and cook until the beans are tender, 6 hours on high or 8 hours on low.
• Stir in the kale, cover and let simmer until just wilted, about 10 minutes. Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with freshly grated Parmesan. Serve with toasted baguette, if desired.
• If using pasta, spoon 1/2 cup cooked pasta into each bowl and ladle the soup on top. Store the pasta and soup in separate containers.

VEGETARIAN MINESTRONE

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the onion, carrot, celery, garlic, salt, rosemary, black pepper and crushed red pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are just tender, 8 to 10 minutes.
• Stir in the broth, 2 cups water, the cannellini beans, tomatoes, zucchini and vinegar. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat; reduce the heat to medium low and simmer until the zucchini is just tender, about 10 minutes. Stir in the collard greens and simmer until the greens are tender, about 2 minutes. Stir in the orzo. Season with salt. Top with the shredded parmesan.
• Photograph Courtesy of Time Inc. Books/Alison Miksch.