Starters
Italian
ItalianMinestrone Soup
A hearty Italian vegetable soup at three levels. The basic leans on tinned veg and pasta; the ultimate builds a soffritto base with a parmesan rind and fresh pesto.
Vegetarian
Nut-free
Budget version
Tinned tomatoes, frozen veg and a handful of pasta.
Per serving£0.70
Total cost£2.80
Time35 min
Ingredients for 4
- 1 onion , diced
- 400 g tinned chopped tomatoes
- 300 g frozen mixed vegetables
- 400 g tinned cannellini beans , drained
- 80 g small dried pasta
- 800 ml vegetable stock , from a cube
- 1 tsp dried mixed herbs
- salt and pepper , to taste
Method
- Fry the onion in a splash of oil until soft.
- Add the tomatoes, stock, beans, frozen veg and dried herbs.
- Bring to the boil and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Stir in the pasta and cook for a further 10 minutes until tender.
- Season and serve.
Equipment
The three ways, side by side
Budget
Tinned tomatoes, frozen veg and a handful of pasta.
Better
Fresh soffritto, passata and seasonal greens with proper pasta.
Ultimate
Soffritto enriched with pancetta-free olio, parmesan rind, cavolo nero and fresh basil pesto.
