Minestrone Soup

1. 
   
   Oh My Gosh!!!!! This is so very good. It is perfect just the way it is.
   
   Ingredients:
   1 medium onion chopped


2. 3-4 garlic cloves minced or 1 teaspoon dried minced garlic


3. 2 carrots cut into slices


4. 2 stalks of celery, sliced including tops


5. 2 medium potatoes or yams, scrubbed and cut into chunks ( I used yams)


6. 2 Tablespoons chopped parsley


7. 1 45 oz. can tomato juice, low sodium


8. 1 15 oz. can Italian Stewed Tomatoes


9. 1 46 oz. can water or vegetable stock-vegetable stock will give you more flavor.


10. 1 teaspoon mixed Italian Herbs


11. 1/4 teaspoon black pepper


12. 1/3 teaspoon Mrs. Dash, Tomato Basil Garlic Seasoning


13. 1 medium zucchini diced


14. 1/2 cup whole wheat pasta shells


15. 1 can dark red kidney beans, drained and rinsed


16. 1 15 oz can great northern beans or pinto beans, drained and rinsed


17. 1-2 cups finely chopped kale, collard greens or spinach-stems removed


18. 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil or 2 teaspoons of dried basil


19. 1 tablespoon dried parsley flake
    

Directions:
Place the onion, garlic, carrots, celery, potatoes (yams) and parsley in a large pot with the tomato juice, stewed tomatoes water or stock, Italian herbs, black pepper and Mrs. Dash seasonings. Bring to a simmer, then to a simmer, then cook and cover and cook 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add the zucchini, pasta, kidney beans, chopped greens, basil and parsley flakes. Cover and simmer until the pasta is tender, about 20 minute. Remove several cups of soup, blend in a blender and return to the pot to create a thicker base. Add extra tomato juice or water if soup is to thick.

Notes from Verna's Kitchen:

I changed my mind. I would saute onions, garlic celery and carrots. There is just way more flavor if you do this. Helen and Ed brought the soup and to be honest, it was absolutely delicious just the way it was

Enjoy!!!.