Bob's easy Minestrone!
2 carrots
2 stalks celery
2 potatoes
1/2 onion
1c spinach (chiffonade)
1c pasta ( your choice)
1 48 oz. chicken broth ( low sodium)
2 tsp chicken bullion ( or 3 cubes) for chicken base
1 can diced tomatoes ( I use flavored, like Basil, oregano or such)
Fresh garlic.......lots of fresh garlic......and more fresh garlic
1/2 lb of sausage ( or so)
Parsley, Oregano, Basil , pepper, salt and crushed red pepper to taste. ( go easy on the red pepper...you can always add more but you can't take it out)
2 tbs butter ( secret ingredient!)
Dice the veggies, mince the garlic, chop the spinach and set aside
Brown the sausage in XVOO and remove to drain
Toss all the veggies in to sweat on medium high heat adding broth 1/4 cup or so at a time
Season, Simmer and stir the veggies adding broth as it reduces till they're almost tender
Add in the tomatoes and meat and simmer a few more minutes
Pour in the remaining broth and bring back to a simmer.
Add in the butter, spinach, chicken base and pasta, cover and simmer on low for a couple hours.
Take it off the heat and let it rest for a few hours before heating it up to serve.
Top with some grated Parmesean or Romano, we like garlic toast with ours.
Enjoy!
Rg
