{Recipe} Homemade Minestrone

After deciding to give WW Simple Start a go, I went to the grocery store and stocked up on all the power foods recommended. What is so wonderful about the list that WW provides, is that you have ingredients on hand to make so many things. I couldn’t resist making homemade soup and of course, it had to have an Italian flare.

Little known fact here on the blog… I spent my much younger years in my parent’s different Italian restaurants, up until about age 10. After restaurants our family businesses went in another direction. Then, in 2006, my dad decided he wanted to open one more restaurant. Much to my and my mom’s strong desire to NOT do that, my dad won and he opened a great little place in Dunedin. My mom, the amazing cook that she is, and the recipes that he and my dad created over the years (and food that I grew up on) made for a pretty amazing menu. I actually worked in the kitchen, cooking alongside my mom. And while I will never have the cooking skills that my mom does, it helped me to not be so afraid to be creative when making new dishes. We sold the restaurant after just a couple years, but I still love to cook. This is a great quality to have when you also love to eat!

min·e·stro·ne

A thick soup of Italian origin containing assorted vegetables, beans, pasta such as vermicelli or macaroni, and herbs in a meat or vegetable broth.

Homemade Minestrone

Makes 4 servings

• 4 cups chicken broth (reduced sodium)
• 1 can Italian seasoned diced tomatoes
• 1 can cannellini beans (drained)
• 2 tbsp. minced garlic
• 2 tsp. extra virgin olive oil
• Carrots
• Zucchini
• Celery
• White onion
• Basil
• Oregano

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat, add garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add carrots, zucchini, celery, and onion and cook until soft, about 10 minutes. Add broth, deiced tomatoes, and cannellini beans and bring to a boil. Add basil and oregano and simmer for about 15 minutes.

I like soup chock full of veggies, so I tend to put a lot in. You can add veggies to your liking. Serve with a little bit of shredded parmesan cheese on top.

These are all power foods, except the shredded parmesan. On the Simple Start plan, I do not have to track the points, but I would track the parmesan cheese. This could come from my extra 7 points I have to use per day on non-power foods, indulgences, and more.

This recipe is so easy and delicious! I am sure it will be a regular in my house, especially during the cooler months!

What is your favorite soup? Do you enjoy soup as a way to add veggies into your meals?