Mccormick's Minestrone

Ingredients: 1 cup dry beans (Great Northern -- kidney, pinto,

lima, or mixture) 4 quarts plus 4 to 6 cups water -- divided

1/4 cup olive oil

1/4 cup chopped celery

1/4 cup chopped green bell pepper

1/4 cup McCormick(r) Instant Chopped Onions

1 tablespoon McCormick(r) Parsley Flakes

1/8 teaspoon McCormick(r) Instant Minced Garlic

1 can whole tomatoes -- (28 ounces) cut

into small pieces 1/2 lb spinach -- washed, stems

removed, and torn into bite- size pcs. 1 cup peeled -- diced potato

1 cup chopped cabbage

1 cup chopped zucchini

1/2 cup elbow macaroni

1 tablespoon McCormick(r) Beef Flavor Base

1 tablespoon McCormick(r) Season-All Seasoned Salt

1 teaspoon McCormick(r) Ground Thyme

1/4 teaspoon McCormick(r) Italian Seasoning

1/4 teaspoon McCormick(r) Ground Black Pepper

1/8 teaspoon McCormick(r) Rubbed Sage

Grated Parmesan cheese to serve

Instructions: * Pick over beans to remove stones and empty shells. Place in 4-quart bowl, add 2 quarts water, and soak overnight. Drain and rinse thoroughly. If preferred, follow instructions for quick-soaking method on package of beans. * * Place 2 quarts fresh water and beans in Dutch oven or large saucepan. Heat to boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer 2 1/2 to 3 hours or until beans are tender. * Heat oil in skillet. Add celery, green bell pepper, chopped onions, parsley, and minced garlic. Saut? but do not brown. Add to beans. * * Add remaining ingredients except water and cheese to beans. Cover and simmer 30 minutes. * Add 4 to 6 additional cups water, depending on consistency desired. Cook until heated through. * Ladle into soup bowls and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. * * Tip: * This is a thick soup. If desired, thin with additional boiling water to desired consistency.

Makes 12 servings, 1 cup each or 6 2 cup main meal servings.

Due to the fact some of McCormick's products are not available in Canada I have substituted OXO Low Sodium Beef bouillon packets for McCormick(r) Beef Flavor Base also did not use seasoned salt to lower sodium. This soup is a excellent cold weather soup.

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