Minestrone soup

Serves 4

Ingredients

• 12 oz mixed vegetables – onion, leek, celery, carrot, turnip, cabbage
• 4oz tomatoes skinned, deseeded and diced
• 2 oz margarine or vegetable oil
• 1½ pint water
• 1 oz peas
• 1 oz French beans
• 1 oz spaghetti
• 2 oz potatoes
• 1 tablespoon tomato puree
• chopped parsley
• 1 clove garlic

Method

Prepare the mixed vegetables and dice. Cook slowly (without colour) in the margarine or oil in the pan with the lid on.

Add boiling water and simmer for 20 minutes.

Add the peas and beans which should be cut into diamond shapes and simmer for 10 minutes. Add the spaghetti which should be cut in 1 “ lengths.

Cut the potato and dice and add to the pan with the tomato puree and tomatoes. Simmer until vegetables are all cooked. Chop parsley and garlic very finely and add to soup pan.

Serve with crusty bread or toast.