Mmm Minestrone Soup

Total Time: 5 hrs 25 mins Preparation Time: 25 mins Cook Time: 5 hrs

Ingredients

• Servings: 8
• 2 (796 ml) cans whole tomatoes
• 1 (156 ml) can tomato paste
• 1600 ml water (2 tomato cans full)
• 2 carrots, peeled, and sliced
• 3 potatoes (skin on for extra nutrients!)
• 1 medium sized onion, chopped
• 1 medium sized zucchini, sliced
• 15 -20 green beans, cut in bite sized pieces
• 1 -3 large mushroom, sliced
• 2 tablespoons minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 1 teaspoon basil
• 1/2 teaspoon thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup brown rice (whichever you prefer) or 1/2 cup pearl barley (whichever you prefer) or 1/2 cup piece pasta (whichever you prefer)
• 2 bay leaves

Recipe

• 1 in a large suacepan, start with the cans of tomatoes, crush them up or squish them in your hands, then add the water and tomato paste.
• 2 add all the other ingredients except the rice, barley or pasta.
• 3 simmer for several hours until all of the veggies are soft.
• 4 add the rice, barley or pasta during the last hour or so.
• 5 makes enough for freezing and is always better then next day when the spices have really infused the veggies!
• 6 serve with a sprinkle of low fat parmesan cheese and a whole wheat bun, and you've got a rich, hearty (and heart healthy) dinner!