| A cold wind has blown in from the Dakotas, the | | | | non-fat Marinara sauce1 26-ounce jar of water1 cup |
| temperature is dropping and, according to the | | | | of chicken stock1 1-pound bag of Italian blend frozen |
| weather forecast, Minnesota will have frost tonight. | | | | vegetables1/8 teaspoon of garlic powder (or more if |
| In my mind this forecast translates into "Make bread | | | | you love garlic)1 teaspoon Italian seasoning1 teaspoon |
| or make soup." Today I decided to make soup, but I | | | | sugar or SplendaSalt and freshly-ground pepper to |
| had just gone to the grocery store and didn't want | | | | taste1/2 cup small pasta: acini de pepe (peppercorns), |
| to go again, so I checked the food on hand.In the | | | | anellini (little rings), tubetti (little tubes), orzo |
| pantry I found a jar of non-fat Marinara sauce. In the | | | | (rice-shaped pasta), or elbow |
| refrigerator I found a partial carton of chicken stock. | | | | macaroniMETHODCombine all ingredients, with the |
| In the freezer I found a bag of Italian vegetables. I | | | | exception of the pasta, in a large soup kettle. Bring |
| combined these basic ingredients, added seasonings | | | | to a boil, turn the heat to low, and simmer for one |
| and pasta, and within an hour, had a kettle full of | | | | hour. Add pasta and cook until it is al dente (a little bit |
| fragrant Minestrone soup. It was the perfect comfort | | | | hard). Ladle soup into bowls and sprinkle with |
| food for a dark and chilly day.You may make this | | | | Parmesan cheese. Makes 8-10 servings.Copyright |
| recipe in a slow cooker. Just cook the pasta the day | | | | 2006 by Harriet Hodgson |
| before and store it in the refrigerator. Combine the | | | | Hodgson has been a freelance nonfiction writer for |
| remaining soup ingredients in your slow cooker and | | | | 28 years and is a member of the Association of |
| set it on low. When you get home turn the dial to | | | | Health Care Journalists and the Association for Death |
| high, add the cooked pasta, and cook for another | | | | Education and Counseling. Before she became a |
| 25-30 minutes.The best thing about this recipe is that | | | | health writer she was a food writer for the former |
| you are getting lots of veggies and lycopene, a | | | | "Rochester Magazine" in her home town of |
| natural antioxidant found in tomatoes. For a smoky | | | | Rochester, MN. Her 24th book, "Smiling Through Your |
| flavor you may add some leftover chunks of ham or | | | | Tears: Anticipating Grief," written with Lois Krahn, |
| a 2.8-ounce package of precooked bacon pieces. You | | | | MD, is available from A five-star review of the book |
| may also add a can of drained kidney beans to the | | | | is posted on Amazon. You will find another review on |
| soup for extra protein.FAST AND EASY | | | | the American Hospice Foundation website under the |
| MINESTRONE SOUPINGREDIENTS1 26-ounce jar of | | | | "School Corner" heading. |