Recipe for Minestrone Soup

Minestrone Soup

Ingredients

.....1 1/2 pounds cubed 1" beef stew meat
.....8 cups water
.....2 teaspoons salt
.....1 1/2 cups chopped onion
.....1 cup sliced carrots
.....1 cup chopped celery
.....1/2 cup butter
.....1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
.....1 teaspoon minced fresh garlic
.....2 cups chopped ripe tomatoes
.....2 cups cubed 1/2" potatoes
.....1 cup unpeeled, sliced 1/4" zucchini
.....1/2 cup uncooked kidney beans, drained
Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation

In Dutch oven combine beef, water and salt. Cover; cook over medium heat until mixture comes to a full boil (10 to 12 minutes). Reduce heat to low; continue cooking until beef is fork tender (about 1 hour). Meanwhile, in 10" skillet, combine onions, carrots, celery, butter, parsely and garlic. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are crisply tender (5 to 6 minutes). Add vegetable mixture to beef along with remaining ingredients except kidney beans. Cook over medium heat until mixture comes to a full boil (10 to 12 minutes); reduce heat to low. Cover; continue cooking until vegetables are crisply tender (20 to 30 minutes). Stir in kidney beans. Continue cooking until heated through (2 to 3 minutes). Salt and pepper to taste.

Yield: approximately 14 servings