Warming Minestrone Soup

If you have a big stock or soup pot, this recipe makes 10 large portions (2 large ladles) of soup! Blend down for an infant (1 small ladle) to a rough puree, mash down for a toddler (1 medium ladle) and encourage chewing for the older school child! Serve as a warming quick meal in itself, a hot lunch, or taken in a flask, with a sandwich or roll or bread & butter cut into cubes for infants, fingers for toddlers and whole for everyone else. An excellent and diverse source of fibres, plant protein, and protective antioxidant-nutrients like beta-carotene and vitamin C to help support the immune system and keep those colds at bay. Top nutrition for low cost, using seasonal carrots, and all year round tins and frozen peas!

Method

1. In a large heavy bottomed pan, heat the oil and gently fry the onions
2. Prepare the vegetables, adding to the pot and stirring
3. Carrots first, then peppers, cook on a moderate-high heat, stirring often for 5 minutes
4. Add the butter beans, bring up again to hot temperate, stirring once or twice
5. Add the macaroni, mixed herbs & garlic, stirring often (macaroni can stick to the bottom)
6. Add the tinned tomatoes and peas
7. Make up and add the stock, bay leaves, and season
8. Bring to the boil, stirring often, then cover with a lid and reduce temperature to low heat
9. Simmer gently for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally

I like to serve with fan fried pancetta for that touch of salty savouriness. Or top with torn up mozzarella and a sprinkle of herbs. Parmesan cheese is equally good, as is cheddar. Or, if you have the oven on, prepare croutons soaked in oil and garlic puree, and roast in a hot oven for 10 minutes. I chop up the ends of paninis my kids like and save in a freezer bag (they don’t fully fit in our toaster!) Once there’s enough to make a large pile, I add oil and garlic puree to the bag, move it around, then tip out onto a hot-oiled oven tray and bake 200^o for 10 minutes. No mess!!

155kcals per large portion, 6g protein, 6g fibre, 150% of daily needs for carotene

Low in salt and sugar-free suitable for vegan diets, milk, egg, soya free, easily adapted to gluten free

Warm Wellbeing and Love to you all  x