Minestrone Soup

Wow I feel like I haven't blogged in a long time. Sorry about that! My life got a little crazy. Between school and work, I hopped on a plane to Japan! I'm hoping to get back into the swing of things here. I have been cooking though, it's just hard to get the time to write up the blogs. Enough of my apologies, let's talk food.

I've loved Gram's Minestrone soup since I was little. One of things I will never forget about my great-grandma (Gram) is that she always had soup on the stove. Always. I hope you make this dish. It's easy and fantastic.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter
1 small garlic, minced
1 green pepper (1/2 cup)
1 cup celery, chopped
1 cup cubed carrots
1 cup green beans
1/2 cup zucchini
1 cup cubed potatoes
1/2 cup macaroni shells
1 cup dry beans (cook first) (or can red kidney beans)
1 1/2 to 2 cups fresh or canned tomatoes
3 quarts boiling water
4 cubes bouillon cubes (4 big tbs bullion)
1/4 tsp oregano
1/4 cup parsley, chopped
1 small bay leaf
1/2 tsp marjoram
1/2 tsp black pepper
salt to taste

Directions:

• In large pot, add butter & melt on med to high heat.
• Add onion, garlic, green pepper, and tomatoes. Saute for several minutes. 
• Add celery, green beans, carrots, zucchini, beans, boiling water, bullion cubes, marjoram, black pepper,  parsley, bay leaf, salt, oregano. 
• Cover and simmer on low for 45 minutes. 
• Add cubed potatoes and macaroni shells. Cook 30 minutes longer.