Winter Minestrone

Tis' the season for soup! 

When it's -21º (with wind chill) outside, what's better than soup? NOTHING. I'll tell you right now. Nothing. Soup epitomizes comfort food. And minestrone is such a satisfying choice on a cold day. Chock full of veggies in a cozy, flavorful broth with chewy pasta lazily floating around the bowl? Yes, please! Take that, polar vortex.

As many of you may know, one of my New Year's goals for 2013 was to conquer roasting a chicken. I did accomplish this. I roasted 4-5 chickens in a row that were perfection. Enter the somewhat-cold chicken I roasted on Monday. I pulled it at the perfect 145º, and the bird was still somehow undercooked. I determined it was my thermometer, and promptly tossed it. But I was boiling. So mad. I turned it all into chicken broth which was the base for this wonderful soup, so it's wasn't a complete waste.

The hubby and I enjoyed our soup while watching the latest episode of "The Biggest Loser". And you know what? We didn't guilty at all. I'm sure Jillian would approve of this soup :)

Have a great weekend everyone!

Ingredients:

1 tbsp olive oil

1 medium onion, diced

1 large carrot, peeled and diced

2 stalks celery, diced

3 garlic cloves, minced

8 cups low-sodium chicken broth

1 (28 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained

1 (14.5 oz) can Great Northern Beans, drained and rinsed

1 tbsp dried thyme

1 tbsp dried basil

2 tsp salt

1 tsp black pepper

1/4-1/2 tsp ground red pepper

1 medium zucchini, diced

4 cups kale, chopped

1 cup ditalini

garnish- parmesan cheese

Directions:

1. Add olive to a large stock pot, heat over medium heat. When heated, add onions, carrot, celery, and garlic. Saute 4-5 minutes, or until tender.

2. Add chicken broth through ground red pepper to the pot. Bring to a boil, then lower heat to a simmer. Simmer for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.

3. Add zucchini to the pot. Simmer for another 15 minutes.

4. Add kate and ditalini to the pot. Simmer for another 7-8 minutes, or until pasta is done and kale is tender. Season to taste, if needed.

5. Ladle soup into bowls, garnish with fresh grated parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.

Linked to: Weekend Potluck