Sunday, January 24

The Soup


One of my favorite parts of snowy winter months is sitting down to a hot bowl of homemade soup. I usually make a large portion so we have plenty to share with friends, eat as leftovers, and sometimes freeze for future meals.

I made a huge double-recipe of minestrone last week, one of my favorites because a) it's easy, b) it's healthy, c) I can get creative with it if I feel the urge, d) it can be "dressed up" with salad and hot bread, and e) it's even better left over.

I use a recipe called "Best Ever Minestrone Soup" as a guide. It's in my JLO Art of Cooking cookbook (put out by the Junior League of Ogden and jam-packed with delectable recipes and delightful art). Then, I add or omit ingredients to make it a tad easier and healthier. I also double the recipe so we have LOTS. So, without further ado, here's

Wendy's Best Ever Minestrone Soup

2 cups ground turkey, cooked and drained
1 (28 oz) can tomatoes, pureed (Italian seasoned if available)
4 cups water
1/4 of a 10-oz bag of matchsticks carrots (from your produce dept.)
1/4 of a 14-oz bag of Dole Classic Coleslaw mix (from produce dept. by bagged salads)
1 small zucchini, diced
2 (8-oz) cans tomato sauce (Italian seasoned if available)
2 cups beef broth
1 T. dried parsley leaves
1/2 t. pepper
Italian seasoning to taste (depending on if the tomatoes you are using are seasoned or not. If not, suggestion is 1/2 t. basil leaves and 1 t. dried oregano leaves)
1/2 t. garlic salt or equivalent fresh garlic
1 (15-oz) can garbanzo beans, drained
1 (16-oz) can green beans, drained
1 (15-oz) can kidney beans, drained
1 1/2 cups baby shells pasta, cooked (optional)
Fresh Parmesan cheese to garnish (optional)

In large pan, combine everything except for the beans and pasta. Bring to a boil, simmer on low for 20 minutes. Add beans, bring to a boil. Simmer 10-15 minutes until tender. Season to taste. Serve over cooked pasta (I keep it separate so the pasta doesn't soak up the leftover soup) and sprinkle fresh Parmesan cheese on top.

Bon appetite! :)

11 comments:

Mary not so Contrary said...

I totally agree with you, soup is amazing!!! I always try and make more then then I should so I can freeze it and have it again. My favorite is brocoli and chesse soup.Yummy! Now I want some. I think I know what I'm make the family for dinner tomorrow. Love your blog.

Sara Hantz said...

I'm on my way.... make mine a big bowl, it sounds yum!!!

Wendy Toliver said...

The Graef Family--Mmm, I love broccoli and cheese soup too. And I'm so glad you like our blog! Stick around because we have lots of exciting things planned for the near future.

Sara--there's plenty! :)

Anna R said...

Hi Wendy- U know I love soup and make lots of soups. I am including many in my CookBook- not recipies but concepts.
If U freeze soup like I do and don't really do it the professional way- placing in increasingly colder baths- (I just put it in the freezer) Make sure U boil the soup before serving. That samonila bug is nasty

Bev Katz Rosenbaum said...

Ooh, Wendy, I was just thinking about making minestrone soup, and this recipe looks fabu--thanks for posting!

Wendy Toliver said...

Anna, I didn't even know there's a professional way to freeze soup. Learn something new every day!

And Bev, I hope you like it!

Alyson Noel said...

Aw, soup!! I've been living off it for nearly 2 months now due to the gum surgery/braces and I'm not sick of it yet!!
:)

Stephanie Kuehnert said...

I love a good minestrone soup! I'll have to try your recipe but make it vegetarian. You've got lots of great veggies in there so I think it would be great for me if I just omit the turkey and substitute veggie broth instead. mmmmmm

Gerb said...

Oh, yum! I'm going to make this tonight. We're a huge soup family this time of year. There's something so comforting about a steaming bowl of goodness inside when it's cold and blustery outside.

I like to serve it with cheater "home made" rolls (Rhodes whole wheat frozen dough is awesome) or, if I'm feeling really indulgent, buy some bread bowls from Panera to serve the soup in.

Wow. It's 6 in the morning and I'm already looking forward to dinner! : )

Melissa Walker said...

This sounds DELICIOUS!

Kay Cassidy said...

Oh my gosh, that sounds (and looks) AMAZING. Yum!