Fun Soup for a Busy Night!

It’s been sooo cold these last few days, how about a nice, hot bowl of soup?

Here’s a quick and easy recipe for Minestrone—or “Minestone,” as it’s called at my house. Why “Minestone”? Well, one of my kids once heard the story of Stone Soup, and the name stuck!

A Quick Tale of Stone Soup…

As the story goes, a long time ago, a cold and weary traveler arrived in a town. He had no money and hoped the townspeople would offer him a little food, but no one was willing to share.

So he got an idea.

He found an old pot, filled it with water, set it over a fire, and added some stones. The townspeople grew curious. When someone asked what he was doing, he replied,

“I’m making Stone Soup! It will be delicious—if only I had…”

Little by little, as each villager found a little ingredient to spare, the soup became richer and more flavorful. And just like that, a simple pot of water and stones turned into a hearty, shared meal.

Inspired by that story, here’s our version of Minestone!

Minestone Soup Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 (28 oz.) can diced tomatoes, drained (I like Hunt’s Petite Diced.)
• 3 potatoes, peeled and cubed
• Assorted frozen vegetables
• 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 2 quarts water
• ½ lb. vermicelli or other small pasta
• 1 tablespoon sea salt (I use a scant tablespoon.)
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 clove garlic, crushed
• 1/8 teaspoon thyme
• 1/8 teaspoon basil
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• ½ cup grated cheese (optional but highly recommended!)

Directions

1. Start the Soup:

In a large pot, combine the tomatoes, potatoes, assorted frozen veggies, and water.

Bring to a boil and let simmer for 15 minutes.

2. Add Pasta & Seasoning:

Stir in the pasta, salt, and pepper. Cook for another 12 minutes.

3. While the Soup Cooks Prepare the Flavor Booster:

In a small bowl, mix the crushed garlic, thyme, basil, and tomato paste.

VERY Slowly add the olive oil, stirring as you go.

4. Finish & Serve:

Carefully add the Flavor Booster to the soup

Then Add the Grated Cheese mixing well

Serve hot with extra Grated Cheese and slices of crusty

Sour Dough Bread…

Make It a Fun Activity for Kids!

If you have little ones at home, turn this into a fun, interactive experience! All you need is:

✔ A big pot

✔ Some carefully washed stones

✔ Ingredients from your pantry & freezer

Let the kids choose the veggie combinations, act out their own version of Stone Soup, and take turns adding ingredients. Nothing tastes better to kids than a meal they helped make themselves! All that good nutrition is just a bonus. 😉

Enjoy and stay warm!