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So last night, I went out to my regular drinking hole, The Artful Dodger pub and I knocked back a few pints, shared some laughs with regulars and commented on the absence of some other regulars.

The pub was quieter than usual and that’s fine, it was Valentine’s but half the regulars who didn’t show I knew to be single. Those present at the bar were single and there was a smattering of couples, flagrante delicto under their tables (get a room).

I was pleased to meet a gal new to the pub…early thirties, brunette, tall, slim and shoulder-length straight hair that just curled up at her neck. We chatted over a drink as she waited for her friends to arrive.

I was nervous until her friends arrived. Phew! No boyfriend…there’s hope!

On to the soup…. while out for work, I stopped for a soup and a sandwich and I enjoyed a warm, hearty bowl of Minestrone soup.

This soup is definitely Italiano in origin and there’s no real benchmark for the ingredients…it’s pretty much made with what you have at hand. One of my favourite short-cuts for a tomato-based soup is to use V8 vegetable cocktail…try it the taste the results for yourself!

Think of this soup as a great “clean your fridge” soup…it’s quite a hodge-podge but the final result is a comforting bowl of broth, beans, pasta and vegetables that’s sure to satisfy any hungry-man.

I should note that this recipe should be considered by the strictest of vegetarians. Just use vegetable stock and fear not that any vegetables would have been cruelly harmed during the soup making process. Free-range vegetables anyone?

Minestrone Soup

1/3 cup olive oil
1 large onion, diced
3 cloves of garlic, minced
2 large carrots, diced
2 stalks of celery, diced
3 bay leaves
2 medium potatoes, diced
1/2 lb. green beans, cut into 1-inch pcs.
1 pint of cherry tomatoes, halved
3 cup of water
4 cups of V8/vegetable or tomato juice
1 Tbsp. of Italian mixed herbs
2 cups of shredded cabbage
2 medium zucchini, diced
2-3 tsp. Vegeta or vegetable bouillon
1 can of kidney beans, drained
1 cup of macaroni
1 bunch of kale leaves, rinsed and chopped

  1. In a large pot over medium heat, add your olive oil, onions, garlic, carrots and celery and potatoes and cook for about 10 minutes to allow them to soften.
  2. Add your bay leaves, cabbage, beans, zucchini, vegetable cocktail, Italian herbs, tomatoes and,Vegeta seasoning, kale, macaroni and beans and bring to a boil.
  3. Reduce to low, cover ajar and simmer for 40 to 50 minutes or until the soup has gotten thick but still soupy. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper
  4. Serve hot with some cracked black pepper and grated Parmesan.

22 Responses

  1. Oh, I love these clean-out-your-fridge kinds of dishes. My mom would do one with different kinds of beans, tomatoes, winter greens, and chopped veggies. I always called it the “bean and stuff soup.” Not very poetic, I know, but practical.

  2. I love minestrone soup! It’s great – as you said, it’s “clean out the fridge and cupboards” soup. A nice loaf of bread, and what more could you want?

  3. I think soups were designed as “clean out the fridge” kinds of meals. Love the use of V8 – adds the right kind of complexity to this soup.

  4. That looks nice, Peter! I like to add a wad of sausage and some sun-dried tomatoes too, and sometimes I use those little mini-tortellinis if I’m feeling fancy.

    Nice try with the family-friendly intro to the story, btw, but I think everyone wants to hear the rest of it….

  5. Happy belated hearts day Peter! We’re celebrating today because it’s our 144th month anniversary !!!
    BTW- we saw “You say tomato I say tomato” make your wonderful dolmades. You’ll have to read my shameful post to her.

  6. I agree with Heather! COME ON! What happened buddy? Had to cut the story a little short did you?
    Go get her tiger!

    That’s ok. You make up for it with your soup, which sounds much more interesting than any other minestrone soup I’ve seen.

  7. Lisa, contrary to Homer Simpson’s ode, one can make friends with salad!

    Susan, for a hodge-podge of a soup, the flavour factor is high.

    Maryann, Minestrone means smart-a$$ed Italiana with funny hat! ;)

    Marjie, I’m down to my last bowl of this soup and it’s just as good.

    Pete and Toni V8 is a great short cut…you’ll taste what I mean but Pete… hold the vegemite…please!

    Heather and Emiline, if it were you I in this situation, would you want me blogging about it? All the details about are written on the bathroom wall…for a good time call…;)

    Kevin, another dumping of snow this Sunday, yikes!

    Pam, cooking can win over girls!

    Cynthia, soups are a must for me in the winter.

    White rice duo, congrats…you too sound solid.

    Nina, thanks for the invite, I’ll check it out.

  8. Am soon to blog minestra – a popular maltese soup (very much like minestrone but a thicker soup)…yours looks great!

  9. This looks just the thing for a cold winter’s night! Good luck with the brunette – hopefully she will become a regular.

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