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