Bacon Minestrone

Name: Bacon Minestrone
Ingredients: 1/2 pound dried red kidney beans; 8 ounces bacon; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 cup thinly sliced leeks; 1 cup julienne-cut carrot; 1/2 cup sliced celery; 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley; 2 tablespoons minced fresh garlic; 2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 2 (10 1/2-ounce) cans chicken broth; 5 cups water; 2 (14 1/2-ounce) cans whole tomatoes, undrained and coarsely chopped; 1 cup elbow macaroni, uncooked; 2 cups coarsely shredded cabbage; 1 1/2 cups thinly sliced zucchini; 1/2 (10-ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed; 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

18 ingredients

4 steps

Ingredients

1/2 pound dried red kidney beans
8 ounces bacon
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup thinly sliced leeks
1 cup julienne-cut carrot
1/2 cup sliced celery
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
2 tablespoons minced fresh garlic
2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 (10 1/2-ounce) cans chicken broth
5 cups water
2 (14 1/2-ounce) cans whole tomatoes, undrained and coarsely chopped
1 cup elbow macaroni, uncooked
2 cups coarsely shredded cabbage
1 1/2 cups thinly sliced zucchini
1/2 (10-ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed
3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

1

Sort and wash beans; place in a Dutch oven. Cover with water to a depth of 2 inches above beans; let soak overnight. Drain beans well; set aside.
2

Cook bacon in a Dutch oven over medium heat until crisp; remove bacon, reserving 1 tablespoon drippings in pan. Crumble bacon, and set aside.
3

Add olive oil to pan; place over medium-high heat until hot. Add leeks and next 4 ingredients; saute until tender. Stir in Italian seasoning and salt; saute 1 minute. Stir in beans, chicken broth, and 5 cups water; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 1 hour or until beans are tender, stirring occasionally.
4

Stir in tomato, macaroni, cabbage, zucchini, and spinach. Bring to a boil; reduce heat, and simmer 15 minutes. Ladle into individual bowls. Top each serving with 1 tablespoon cheese and crumbled bacon.