Gambardella's minestrone soup

16 servings

Ingredients

QuantityIngredient
½cupDry cannellini or Great Northern beans
½cupDry red kidney beans
½cupDry garbanzo beans
½cupDry lentils
¼cupDry split peas
1smallWhite potato, peeled & diced
4Or 5 cups chicken or beef Broth
2packs(16 oz pkgs) frozen Italian Vegetables
¼cupOlive oil
1largeOnion, peeled and chopped
4Cloves garlic, peeled and Chopped
1mediumRed bell pepper, stemmed, Seeded and chopped
3largesStalks celery, diced
1mediumBulb fennel, chopped
cupFresh basil, chopped
½cupFresh oregano, chopped
¼cupParsley stems, chopped
¼teaspoonDried rosemary, crushed
1tablespoonFennel seeds
1tablespoonCoarse salt
1teaspoonFreshly ground black pepper
1cupFresh ripe tomatoes, diced, Or peeled and diced canned Tomatoes
Cooked pasta or rice

Directions

1. Soak the cannellini, kidney and garbanzo beans, lentils and peas in lots of water to cover overnight. The next day, cook in 3 cups water 20 minutes; skim the foam from the top. Do not drain.

2. Simmer the potatoes in 1 cup broth 15 minutes; set aside. (Do not drain either preparation.)

3. In a heavy-bottomed 8-quart pot heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, bell pepper, celery and fennel; saute until the onions are golden. Add the basil, oregano, parsley, rosemary, fennel seeds, salt and pepper; add simmered beans, undrained potato and vegetables, and tomatoes. Simmer 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Add a little more broth if needed.

4. Serve over pasta or rice

Data per serving: Calories......159 Carbohydrates.....24g Monounsaturated fat.....3g Protein........8g Sodium..........635mg Polyunsaturated fat.....1g Fat............5g Saturated fat......1g Cholesterol............0mg