Minestrone Soup

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup rice
• 1 cup small shells pasta
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 stalks , medium celery, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed
• 4 tbsps parsley, chopped
• 2 medium carrots, chopped
• 1 cup tomato paste
• 2 cups , chopped cabbage
• 2 cups kidney beans
• 1 cup brown lentils
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 dash salt, to taste
• 1 dash pepper, to taste
• 12 cups  water
• 2 tsps white sugar
• 2 cubes chicken stock powder
• 2 cubes  beef stock powder

Directions

1. Heat oil in a large pot and sauté onion, celery, garlic, parsley and carrots, until limp. Add tomato paste and cabbage. Stir to combine.
2. Add stock powder, water, sugar, rice, pasta, beans and lentils. Stir well and bring to the boil.
3. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 45 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Great served with a sprinkle of fresh parmesan cheese!