Wordl kuliner: Minestrone Soup

Minestrone soup is the name for a variety of thick Italian soups made with vegetables, often with the addition of pasta or rice. Common ingredients include beans, onions, celery, carrots, stock, and tomatoes. It is the National Soup of Italy ; assorted vegetable broth served with macaroni. It is very simple to make and gets ready in few minutes. Read on for the recipe..

Tomato 1 medium Carrot, peeled and cut into 1 cm cubes 1/2 medium
French beans, 1 cm pieces 3-4

Cabbage shredded 1/2 cup
Zucchini, peeled and cut into 1 cm cubes 1 medium (optional)
Potato, peeled and cut into 1 cm cubes 1 medium
Green peas 1/8 cup
Fresh basil leaves 2-3 (optional)

Dry basil (option for fresh leaves) a pinch

Oregano (Dry) a pinch

Tomato Puree 2 tbsp.
Oil 1/2 tbsp.

Garlic, chopped 4-6 cloves
Onion , chopped 1 medium

Vegetable stock / Water 1 1/2 cups
Macaroni 2 tbsp.

Salt to taste
White pepper powder 1/2 tsp.

Parmesan cheese, grated for garnish

1. Wash and cut half of basil leaves into strips and keep in cold water (if you are using fresh leaves).

2. Blanch tomato and once it cools down remove its seeds and skin and chop roughly.

3. Now in a Pan boil Vegetable stock/ water and add the macaroni, cabbage, potatoes, carrots, french beans, green peas and let it boil for about 5-7 mins.

4. Add the blanched chopped tomatoes and tomato puree and let it boil for another minute. Make sure the potatoes are cooked but at the same time not mashed up and likewise other vegetables.

5. In another pan; heat oil (preferably olive oil) and add chopped garlic, saute it for a minute. Then add chopped onions and saute for another minute; now add the dry oregano and pour this over the vegetable broth mixture.

6. Season with salt and white pepper powder. Serve hot, garnished with fresh basil strips and grated Parmesan cheese.