The Mighty Minestrone

Mike's all time favorite soup is minestrone. So yesterday, while we were experiencing torrential rains, he made a whole pot of soup for us to take to a cookout. (Cookout under a tent... they were inventive. =-) ) I had to leave said cookout early for work. Needless to say, I did not get a single bit of soup. It was a huge success. Mike tried to leave with the soup, but as he was waking away he was violently attacked and had the soup ripped from his grip. Ok, well, that is a little bit of an exaggeration. He politely handed the soup over when it was requested, but he was able to escape with some chicken in his pocket. The next day, since I wasn't in the mood for smuggled pocket chicken, I requested he make another pot of soup. We sent a bowl of it over to a sick neighbor (Crystal, physically sick not mentally) for confirmation of its healing abilities and she suggested we post it... so here it is.  By the way Jaime, please bring our soup pot back!!! =-)

1 medium onion
1 stalk celery chopped
3 medium carrots chopped
2 small bell peppers
1 handful chopped parsley
4 cloves garlic
1 14oz can diced tomatoes
1 can kidney beans (drained) 
1 zucchini cubed
12 oz pasta (we used gluten free pasta since Remy can't have gluten)
2 tbsp Italian seasoning 
3 vegetable bullion
1 chicken bullion (can sub for veggie if you would rather)
10 cups of water
1 tbsp olive oil


In large soup pot sautee in olive oil onion, bell pepper, and celery. When tender add tomatoes, garlic, carrots, beans, bullion, and water. Add Italian season (season to taste) and simmer 15 minutes. Bring back to boil and add pasta, parsley, and zucchini. Reduce heat and simmer 12 more minutes. 
Enjoy!!!