It's Minestrone Today

Gosh we are having a storm and a half, the rain is lashing down and the wind is well very windy.  So another day to make some nourishing soup.  This is my recipe for a very rustic, chunky Minestrone, it's really filling, makes 4 very hearty portions but can be stretched if you have a smaller appetite.  It's practically a stew hence why it's so filling.  Total cost of all ingredients was £2.86, so 71p a portion but as I say can be stretched to 6 portions particularly if you have a sandwich with it. 

So chop 1 large onion, 2 celery sticks, 2 carrots and a pack of smoked bacon and sweat this on a hob for about 3 minutes. 

Add some garlic, 3 tablespoons of tomato puree, herbs (whatever you have in the cupboard, I added Oregano) and mix and fry this for another minute. 

Add a can of chopped tomatoes and a litre of chicken stock (made with 2 chicken stock cubes.  Add some seasoning and pop a lid on and simmer on low for about 50 minutes.  

Then add in 50g of any pasta you have in the cupboard and a can of cannellini beans and again simmer for about 20 minutes.  Check the seasoning and e voila 

It really is scrummy and whilst not the cheapest soup recipe due to the smoked bacon but as I say its more like a stew and is really filling so for 71p it's not too bad.  Enjoy