Consuming Passions - Worldwide Events Managers

Minestrone

Serves: 8 as main meal

Notes

Beans, pasta, fresh vegetables, cheese and herbs combine to make a glorious main meal soup.

Ingredients

• Two medium carrots, roughly chopped
• 1 leek, cut into thin rings discarding dense green parts
• 12 stringless beans, cut into 4 cm pieces
• 1 stick celery, roughly chopped
• 1 425g can tomatoes
• 1 425g can beans (kidney or haricot)
• 1 425g can chick peas
• 1 cup cooked macaroni
• 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 litre chicken or vegetable stock
• 1 tspn each of fresh basil, oregano and parsley (if available)
• 1 tsp minced garlic
• 2 Tbsp hard Italian style cheese (Pecorino, Romano or Parmesan)

Method

In a large pan, simmer onion, and carrots in 1 Tbsp oil for five or six minutes. Pour in chicken stock and add leek, stringless bean pieces and tomatoes. Add water to cover and simmer vegetables slowly for at least an hour. Make up a pesto-type paste mixing together the other 1 Tbsp oil, the chopped herbs, garlic and a couple of Tbsp cheese. Once the soup is cooked add macaroni, canned beans and canned chick peas. Stir in pesto-type paste and serve sprinkled with cheese.