Meaty Minestrone
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Category: Soups posted by: Bendergirl
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1 lb. country style pork ribs
1 stalk celery, chopped
2 carrots, chopped
1/4 lg. onion
1 lg. clove garlic, minced
2 bay leaves
2 (14-oz.) cans chicken stock
1 (28-oz.) can diced tomatoes
2 gold potatoes
1 (28-oz.) can crushed tomatoes
2-3 cups water
1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper (optional)
1 zucchini, diced
1 (15 oz.) can cannellini beans, rinsed & drained
1 cup cabbage, cut up
3-4 fresh basil leaves, minced
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/2 lb. small pasta, cooked al dente (ditalini, farfalline)
Add chicken stock, diced tomatoes and reserved meat to pot. Cook for several hours on low until meat is tender, add potatoes during the last ½ hour. Remove bay leaves and break apart meat. Add crushed tomatoes & water to desired consistency. Add crushed red pepper, zucchini, beans, cabbage, basil, parsley & parmesan cheese and simmer for 15 minutes until tender but not overcooked.
To serve, add some pasta to your bowl and ladle soup over. Garnish with additional parmesan cheese.
Easily turn this into a vegetarian dish by omitting the pork - just start off sautéing the celery, carrots and onion and go from there. Also replace the chicken stock with vegetable stock.