When it is cold, miserable and generally gloomy outside I kind of retreat into a little ball, well not quite but I do have a need for home comforts, warm blankets and more cups of tea than an average human should consume to get through the day. Another winter warmer of mine is to cook up a big bowl of chunky minestrone soup from a recipe that I used to make with my mum.
I promise it is easy to cook, healthy and above of tasty – if this doesn’t help keep the winter blues away I don’t know what will!!!
Chunky Minestrone Soup
Ingredients
- 3 large carrots, roughly chopped
- 2 large potatoes, roughly chopped
- 1 large onion, roughly chopped
- 2 tbsp tomato purée
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 200ml vegetable stock
- 2 x 400g can chopped tomatoes
- 2 x 300g can cannelloni beans
- 2 large handfuls of macaroni or soup pasta
- 2 garlic cloves
- sprinkle of mixed herbs
- crusty bread, to serve
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large casserole pan, add the onions, garlic and herbs, and fry off for five minutes until softened
- Add carrots and potatoes, stir in the tomato puree, stock and chopped tomatoes. Bring to boil and then turn down the heat and simmer, covered, for 10-15 minutes
- Add the cannelloni beans, cook for a further 10 minutes, and then add the pasta and let it bubble nicely for another 10-15 minutes
- Season to taste and serve with crusty bread
Notes
- When cooled section off the rest of the soup for freezing – for a quick and easy fix when you are in need of a winter warmer