Minestrone

Minestrone is a tasty vegetable soup with tomatoes, beans and pasta. A filling, tasty meal or snack that's perfect on cool winter days.

1 onion, peeled and finely chopped
2 carrots, finely chopped
2 stalks celery, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1/2 cup macaroni
2 1/2 cups low-salt vegetable stock (or 2 teaspoons stock powder and 2 1/2 cups water)
2 1/2 cups water
2 dried bay leaves (optional)
2 cans chopped tomatoes (400 grams)
1 can cannellini or kidney beans (400 grams)
1/2 cup frozen green beans
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil

1. Heat a little oil in a large saucepan. Add garlic, onion, carrot and celery and cook for 2 or 3 minutes.
2. Add pasta, stock, water and bay leaves (if using) and bring to the boil. Reduce heat and gently simmer for 10 to 15 minutes.
3. Add canned tomatoes, cannellini or kidney beans, frozen green beans, oregano and basil. Cook for another few minutes.
4. The soup is ready when the pasta is tender and the soup is hot. Remove from the heat.
5. Serve in bowls with wholegrain toast.

Try adding 2 cups shredded cabbage or silverbeet when in season (add at the same time as the pasta).