Minestrone Soup has to be the best type of winter warming soup as it is packed with everything you need a bowl full of hot vitamins, minerals - a wide variety of vegetables with some carbs thrown in to boost your energy.
You do not need to follow the vegetables I have used - this was just what I had in the fridge, but you can add any veg - asparagus / potatoes / buttersquash. For additional carbs you could also add a tin of kidney or butter beans when you add your pasta.
If you are not watching your calorie intake serve with a warm baguette! If you are the soup has enough carbs in the bowl that you should not feel the need to have bread!
TIP: If making a soup to last the week - avoid peppers, fresh tomatoes or buttersquash as it can turn acidic if left for a number of days!
INGREDIENTS
TBSP of Hemp Oil
3 large carrots
1 Large white onion diced
1 leek chopped
2 Stalks of Celery
4 spring onions chopped
6 Button mushrooms – chopped quite chunky (Optional)
2 Bell Peppers – 1 red / 1 yellow chopped chunky (Optional)
3 Cloves of garlic
TBSO of Mixed Herbs
Tbsp of paprika
Handful of fresh Basil
2 chicken or Vegetable Stock Cubes
Water to fill the pan
TBSP of Tomato Puree
150g of soup pasta –or regular spaghetti broken into small Pieces
Salt & Pepper
METHOD
Heat the Hemp Oil in a large soup pan turn down the heat to low - medium and add your onions, let them sweat for around 7-8 mins
Add the carrots, celery, mushrooms, spring onions and spices, peppers, leek, & garlic
After 4-5 mins - Season well & add basil and Stir continuously
After another 5 mins add your stock cubes and fill the pan with hot water
Once brought to the boil add the pasta & Tomato puree and stir
Season again (plenty of Salt) and boil for 10-12 mins
Cover the pan – turn off the heat and leave around for 1 hr
Reheat to serve – The Soup is even better the next day!