Soup Of The Week Week 1 Minestrone

Minestrone is our traditional meal on Christmas Eve. It's just a soul warming soup for what is a typically cold day - even here in Texas. I do this soup in my crockpot so I am free to finish up last minute wrapping, cooking, and napping :)


Ingredients:


1 small onion, peeled and diced fine
2 carrots, peeled and diced fine
2 celery stalks, diced fine
2 14 oz. cans of diced tomatoes - plain or with garlic and basil
1 14 oz can Great Northern beans or cannellini beans
1 Tbsp dried oregano
1 Tbsp fresh parsley, chopped fine
2 Tbsp fresh basil, chopped fine
1 Tbsp rosemary
2 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
1 cup of water
2 cups of low sodium or low fat chicken broth
1 Tbsp black pepper
Salt to taste
1 box of frozen spinach (do not defrost)
2 Tbsp butter or olive oil
1 cup tiny shell shaped pasta






Heat butter or olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, garlic and celery. Cook until soft but do not brown. While veggies are cooking, add 2 cans of tomatoes (do not drain) and 1 can of beans (do not drain) to crock pot. Add all spices, chicken stock and water. Add onion mixture and frozen spinach. Cook on low 8 hours. 1 hour before serving, add pasta. Serve with Homemade Herbed Focaccia.



Homemade Herbed Focaccia


2 3/4 cup all purpose flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp sugar
1 Tbsp dry yeast
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp dried oregano
1 Tbsp rosemary
1 Tbsp dried thyme
1 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper - optional
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/4 cup grated Parmesan (like the stuff in the green can)
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 cup of water


Stir all dry ingredients together and mix in the vegetable oil and water. When mixed, turn out on a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth. Lightly coat a large bowl with olive oil or olive oil spray and turn dough to coat. Cover with a damp dishtowel and let dough rise for about 20 min. Preheat oven at 450 degrees. Punch down dough and shape into 2 round loaves. Place on a greased baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes until golden.