McKenzie's Minestrone

Ingredients

  • 375g (whole pack) Italian soup mix
  • 2 tbs olive oil
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 2 large carrots, finely diced
  • 2 stalks of celery, finely diced
  • 2 potatoes, finely diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 2 tbs tomato paste
  • 2 tins tomatoes whole
  • 1 tsp oregano
  • 1 tsp basil
  • 14 cups water
  • 1 cup cabbage, shredded
  • 1 cup small dried pasta (risoni)
  • salt to taste
  • ground pepper to taste
  • 2 tbs rice
  • parmesan cheese, grated, to serve
  • fresh parsley, finely chopped, to serve

Method

  1. Prepare soup mix according to instructions (generally soak for a few hours, drain and wash, then cook until beans are softening but still firm inside) - put aside
  2. Heat olive oil in large cassoulet or pot, add onion, carrots, celery, potato and garlic and cook for 4 or 5 minutes
  3. Add tomato paste, tomatoes, soup mix, rice, oregano, basil and water and bring to boil. Boil for 10 minute, then reduce to simmer, cover and cook for approx 1 hour or until beans in soup mix are tender, sitrring occasionally.
  4. Add cabbage and pasta, cook for further 15 minutes.
  5. Season to taste and serve with parmesan and parsley.