Monday, November 15, 2010

ITALIAN TURKEY MINESTRONE
Doesn't get any better on a cold winter day!
Ingredients:
-1 pound lean ground turkey
-2 tsp. fennel seed, 1 tsp garlic salt, 1 tsp garlic, 2 tsp. Italian seasoning
-1 large onion - chopped (white is best)
-2 large carrots - chopped
-2 celery stalks - sliced
-3 cloves of garlic - minced
-1 can green beans (fresh or frozen would be good too)
-32 oz low-sodium chicken broth + water as needed
-2 cans (14.5 oz.) diced tomatoes
-1 t. of dried basil
-1 t. of dried oregano
-1/4 t. of black pepper
-1 can of garbanzo beans - or white northern beans - drained (I used cannellini)
-1/2 c. of small shelled pasta
-1 diced bell pepper, any color
-3 T. of chopped fresh parsley
-4c chopped spinach (Because everything tastes better with spinach!) :)

Directions:
In a soup kettle, cook turkey, seasonings and onion over med. heat until meat is no longer pink; drain if needed. Stir in carrots, celery and garlic; cook for 3 minutes. Add green beans; cook 2 min. longer.
Stir in broth, tomatoes, basil, oregano and pepper. Bring to a boil - cover and simmer until veggies are at the desired tenderness that you like.
Stir in beans, pasta, bell pepper and parsley - boil for 6- 9 more minutes
Add chopped spinach just before serving and let wilt.

*You really can't go wrong with this recipe. I would have added zucchini & cabbage if I had had it!!

2 comments:

Miss Niss said...

do you think this would be good without the ground turkey?

sara said...

Ya- I'm sure it would.