Minestrone (Classic Italian Soup)

Ingredients

• •1 large leek, thinly sliced
• •2 carrots, chopped
• •1 zucchini, thinly sliced
• •3/4 cup whole green beans, halved
• •2 celery stalks, thinly sliced
• •3 tablespoons olive oil
• •6 1/4 cups stock or water
• •14 ounce can chopped tomatoes
• •1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
• •1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme or 1/2 teaspoon dried
• •14 ounce can cannelloni or kidney beans
• •2 ounces small pasta shapes or macaroni salt and ground black pepper
• •finely grated Parmesan cheese, to garnish (optional)
• •fresh parsley, chopped, to garnish

Directions

1. 1Put all the vegetables in a pan with the oil and cook very gently for a few minutes. Season.
2. 2Add a ladleful of water and cook, stirring occassionally,for about 45 minutes until the vegetables are tender.Add a little more water from time to time.