All of a sudden Old Man Winter seems to have arrived on our doorstep.  It is cold, chilly, damp and windy.  Only the oak trees are left with their leaves.  They are stubborn, waiting until the snow to fall until they part with their leaves.  As the final warmer days of fall fleet away, I find myself making more soups and hearty meals.  The secret to my Minestrone soup is adding tortellini.  All the food groups are covered with this soup and usually the tortellini are the first things gobbled up by my little ones.

Ingredients:

4 cups chicken stock
1  28 oz. can diced tomatoes
1 can white Cannellini beans
1 cup dried cheese tortellini
1 tbsp. dried basil
1 tbsp. dried parsley
2 medium zucchini cut into bite size pieces
1 cup diced carrots
2 stalk celery-cut into bite size pieces
1 medium diced onion
3 cloves garlic
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. black pepper
1/4 Parmesan cheese-the type in the can.
2 tbsp. olive oil
1/2 cup green beans


Preparation:

In a large soup pot, over medium heat, saute the garlic, onions, celery, carrots, basil and parsley in the olive oil.  Stir occasionally until the onions are translucent.

Add the chicken stock, tomatoes, salt, black pepper, zucchini and simmer  over low heat for 30 minutes.

Next add the beans, tortellini, green beans, Parmesan cheese and simmer for 20 more minutes on low.

Ladle into bowls while piping hot and serve with crusty french bread.

Photo Credit:  Tilly’s Nest