
Carly Monson
Minestrone Soup

Somewhere along the line when I was in high school and started getting into nutrition I adventured into the cooking world. In an effort to get my parents to start eating more vegetables, I figured what better way to do that then in a soup that is full of them!? Well, however many years later it has been, my dad requested the recipe for my minestrone and so I thought I would share it with you too! It really is one of the easiest things to make, and you can make it in 30 mins or let it simmer in a crockpot all day, up to you.
TGISS (thank god it's soup season!)
Ingredients:
1 yellow onion, diced
2-3 carrots, peeled and diced
2-3 celery stalks, diced
2 zucchini squash, diced
1 jalapeño, diced
3 cloves of garlic, minced
2 14oz cans of no salt added diced tomatoes
1 can white beans (cannellini, great northern, etc.), drained and rinsed
1 can dark red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
4 cups of vegetable broth
1 bunch of kale, stems removed and leaves chopped
2 teaspoons of Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon of garlic and herb seasoning
Salt and pepper
Directions:
Sauté onion, carrots, and celery in 1-2tbsp of olive oil for 3-4 minutes.
Add zucchini, jalapeño, garlic, and spices and cook for another 3-4 minutes.
Add tomatoes and vegetable broth and bring to a boil
Add beans, and reduce heat to low
Simmer for 30 minutes
Add kale and cook for 5 minutes longer
OR throw everything in a crockpot and let it do its magic - however I have to say that I really think the sauté gives it a nicer flavor that you don't get with a crockpot. It is however much more convenient!
Notes:
I usually squeeze each bowl with some lemon juice and garnish with parsley and parmesan cheese!
Other add in options: quinoa (add 1 extra cup of vegetable broth if you do this), shredded chicken, green beans, asparagus, any vegetable really!
So there you have it, my famous (at least I think so) minestrone soup recipe! Enjoy :)