Minestrone
Ingredients
| 1 cup | white beans, medium-sized, rinsed and picked over |
| 6 tbsps | olive oil |
| 2 | onions, chopped fine |
| 4 | carrots, peeled and cut into 1⁄2 inch pieces |
| 8 cloves | garlic, minced |
| 3 cups | water |
| 2 cups | basil, chopped |
| 1 tsp | oregano, dried |
| 1⁄4 tsp | red pepper flakes |
| 2 | zucchini, quartered lengthwise, seeded, and sliced 1⁄4 inch thick |
| 1 bunch | swiss chard, stemmed, leaves chopped |
| 1⁄2 cup | small soup pasta |
| 1 | 28 oz can whole peeled tomatoes, roughly crushed by hand |
| 8 cups | chicken broth |
Steps
- Bring beans and enough water to cover by 1 inch to low boil in medium saucepan over high heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, until beans are just beginning to soften, about 20 minutes. Drain beans and transfer to slow cooker.
- Heat 3 tablespoons oil in Dutch oven over medium heat until shimmering. Add onions and carrots and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add tomatoes and their juice and cook until pan is nearly dry, 8 to 12 minutes. Stir in broth, water, 1⁄2 cup basil, oregano, and pepper flakes and bring to boil; transfer to slow cooker. Cover and cook on low until beans are tender, 6 to 7 hours (or cook on high 5 to 6 hours).
- Stir zucchini, chard, and pasta into slow cooker and cook, covered, on high until pasta is tender, 20 to 30 minutes. Stir in remaining basil and remaining oil. Season with salt and pepper.