Minestrone. The perfect one dish meal

Soups are like your favorite sweatshirt.  You might wear new clothes and snazzier clothes, but what really feels good is your old sweatshirt-- comfortable and familiar and easy.  The same is true with food.  New food is great and fun and an adventure, but most nights I just want something easy and comfortable and hot that fills me up.  This minestrone is perfect.  It packs more vegetables than a produce co-op. Its easy, its made in one dish, it has all the important food groups, and if you are really feeling lazy...you can drink it.  It is also highly adaptable to what you have on hand.  A lot of times when I make it, it is because I have not planned anything for dinner that night and I will just happen to have everything I need on hand.  That is true food friendship-- there, when you need it.

Enjoy.

Minestrone (adapted from Jaime's Minestrone on allrecipes.com)

2 TBSP olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 large onion, chopped
2 cups chopped celery
5 carrots, peeled and sliced
2 cups chicken broth
2 cups water
2 can diced tomatoes (14 oz)
1 can tomato sauce (14 oz)
1/2 cup red or white wine (optional)
1 can of kidney beans (14 oz)
2 cups of green beans, either canned or frozen
6 oz of baby spinach
3 zucchini, quartered and sliced
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup of dried seashell pasta, or other small pasta (I used rotini in the picture)
parmesan cheese for grating on top

Directions:
In a large stockpot, saute the onion for 5 minutes.  Add garlic, celery, and carrots and saute for another 2 minutes.  Add chicken broth, water, diced tomatoes and tomato sauce.  Bring to a boil, stirring frequently.  If desired, add wine at this point (I have liked it with either kind of wine).  Reduce heat to low and add kidney beans, green beans, spinach, zuchini, and the spices.  Simmer for 30-40 minutes-- the longer the better. Taste for seasoning and add more salt or pepper if desired.  If the soup is too thick, feel free to add some more broth or water.

In a separate pan cook the pasta according to package directions.  Once the pasta is done, drain it, and add to the rest of the soup.

Ladle into bowls and top with parmesan cheese!