When the “Celebration” is over, the party guests have gone home and exhaustion finally sets in….what’s a person to do? Why make soup of course. The wedding venue is cleaned up and friends and visitors have said their goodbyes. The bride and groom are on an 8 month world wide adventure. Most of us experience a little bit of a let-down when the festivities are over. We have spent a year of planning and preparation and now we have to begin the process of getting back to normal. It can take a while to refocus and de-stress.
One of my favorite relaxing activities is to make soup. We all recognize how comforting chicken noodle soup is when we’re sick. Well for me, soup is comforting in any stressful situation. It is relaxing to chop those vegetables and stir that pot. The aromas wafting through the kitchen are wonderful. I have lots of soups that I enjoy but perhaps my most favorite is Minestrone because I love, love, love basil.
I hope that you will join me in making a hearty pot of minestrone soup. Whether you have had a big celebration or you want to recognize the beginning of Autumn, this soup will warm you inside and out.
This hearty pot of soup is loaded with vegetables. Add a loaf of crusty bread and some fruit and you have a complete meal.
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 medium onion chopped
- 2-3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 stalks celery chopped
- 4 whole carrots sliced
- 1 can stewed tomatoes with liquid diced
- 2 medium potatoes peeled and diced
- 8 cups chicken broth
- 3 bay leaves dried, less if fresh
- 1 can white beans drained and rinsed
- 1/2 small head cabbage shredded
- 1 small zucchini sliced thin
- 1 cup fresh basil chopped
- 2 cup ditalini pasta pre-cooked
- parmesan cheese grated to serve on top
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Saute the onion in oil for a minute or two, add garlic and continue to saute for a minute. Add in the celery and saute for 1-2 minutes more. Mix in the carrots, tomatoes, potatoes, broth and bay. Bring to a boil and then turn down to simmer until vegetables start to tenderize. Add in the beans and cabbage and continue to cook until tender. Toward the end of cooking time add the zucchini, basil and cooked pasta. Heat through and serve. Season with salt and pepper. Top with Parmesan cheese and enjoy.