Minestrone Soup

I've made this twice now, and it is really amazing! It's a big hit, it's filling (though I always throw in a sourdough/raw cheddar grilled cheese too!), and it's cheap! Six to eight servings, which could be an entire week's worth of lunches, cost me about $5.50! That comes out to less than a dollar a serving. So, not only are getting great nutritional benefits, but you're saving money too.

Minestrone Soup Recipe

8 cups of beef stock (chicken or turkey stock can be used. You can substitute up to half of this amount with water, but it is best to use mostly stock)
2 cloves of garlic, peeled and mashed
2 cups of kidney beans (I like to buy dried ones and soak and cook them myself, but canned are fine too)
2 carrots, peeled and chopped
2 tomatoes, peeled, seeded and chopped (1 15 ounce can of diced will work)
1 cup of fresh spinach or leafy greens, finely chopped
sea salt or fish sauce
freshly grated parmesan cheese for garnish

To peel tomatoes, submerge them in boiling water for 10 seconds, and then slip the skins off.

Bring stock to a boil and skim.

Add garlic, beans, carrots, and greens. Feel free to adjust this recipe to suit your vegetable tastes, or even add brown rice or buckwheat pasta!

Simmer ten minutes and garnish with cheese!