Winter Warmers

Minestrone soup

Photography by Steve Brown

Preparation Time

20 minutes

Cooking Time

42 minutes

Ingredients (serves 6)

• 1 1/2 tbs olive oil
• 250g pancetta
• 1 onion
• 1 carrot
• 2 celery sticks
• 6 cups beef consomme
• 1 x 400g can Italian diced Roma tomatoes
• 2 tbs tomato paste
• Sea salt & pepper
• 1 cup shell pasta
• 1 cup finely shredded cabbage
• 1/2 cup frozen peas
• 1 zucchini
• 1 x 400g can rinsed cannellini beans
• Parmesan and crusty bread, to serve

Method

1. Heat 1 1/2 tbs olive oil in large saucepan. Cook 250g pancetta, 1 onion, 1 carrot, all chopped, and 2 celery stalks, sliced. Stir and cook for 3 minutes or until onion is soft.

2. Add 6 cups beef consomme, 1 x 400g can Italian diced Roma tomatoes, 2 tbs tomato paste and sea salt and pepper. Bring to the boil, simmer, cover for 25 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Stir occasionally.

3. Add 1 cup small shell pasta, 1 cup finely shredded cabbage, 1/2 cup frozen peas and 1 zucchini, chopped. Boil uncovered for 8-10 mins. Stir through 1 x 400g can rinsed cannellini beans. Serve with parmesan and crusty bread.

I love winter as I can warm myself with a lovely hearty warm meal or warm drink. A cup of tea on any day is perfect but on a cold winters day it is pure bliss!!

Here is an idea for one of our winter warmers...now I just need to go and find the ingredients and get started!

Buon appetito!