Minestrone Soup
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped, 1 cup
• 4 cloves garlic, minced (I just use Garlic Salt to taste)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil
• 1 sweet potato, 8 ounces, peeled and cut into 1/2" pieces
• 1 zucchini, 8 ounces, cut into 1/2" pieces
• 1 yellow squash, 8 ounces, cut into 1/2" pieces
• 1 fennel bulb, 8 ounces, cut into 1/2" pieces
• 5 cups chicken broth
• 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
• 1 bag (5 ounces) baby spinach
• 1 can (15 ounces) red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
DIRECTIONS
1. Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium high heat. Add the onion, garlic, and basil; cook, stirring occasionally, until starting to soften, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the sweet potato and cook for 1 minute. Stir in the zucchini, yellow squash, and fennel and cook until just starting to soften, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the broth and tomatoes; bring to a boil, reduce the heat to medium, and simmer, uncovered, until the vegetables are crisp-tender, about 25 minutes.
2. Stir in the spinach and cook until wilted, 5 minutes. Add the beans and pepper; cook until hot, 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the cheese.
