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Minestrone with Endive & Pepperoni

http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/minestrone_pepperoni_soup.html

From EatingWell:  September/October 2009

Considering that this minestrone soup incorporates mostly frozen vegetables, it is remarkably savory and aromatic. Look for frozen soup or stew vegetables with potatoes, carrots, celery and onion in the mix to give the soup the best flavor. Although pepperoni isn’t traditionally part of minestrone soup, you’ll find it’s a great shortcut to add spicy, complex flavor.

6 servings, about 1 1/2 cups each | Active Time: 30 minutes | Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh or frozen (thawed) bell peppers, any color
• 5 cups reduced-sodium beef broth
• 1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 2/3 cup whole-wheat elbow noodles or other small pasta
• 1 pound frozen mixed soup (or stew) vegetables (including potatoes, carrots, celery, onion), thawed, chopped
• 1 cup frozen baby lima beans, thawed
• 1 15-ounce can diced tomatoes with garlic and onion
• 1/2 cup diced pepperoni
• 3 cups lightly packed coarsely chopped curly endive or chard, tough stems removed
• Freshly ground pepper to taste
• Freshly grated Parmesan cheese for garnish

Preparation

1. Heat oil in a large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add bell peppers and cook, stirring, for 3 minutes. Add broth, oregano and thyme; bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Add pasta and cook for 3 minutes less than the package directions.
2. Add mixed soup (or stew) vegetables and lima beans. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat; boil until the vegetables are almost tender, about 3 minutes. Stir in tomatoes, pepperoni and endive (or chard); return to a boil. Adjust the heat and simmer until the endive (or chard) is just tender, about 5 minutes. Season with pepper and garnish with Parmesan, if desired.

Nutrition

Per serving : 213 Calories; 7 g Fat; 2 g Sat; 3 g Mono; 14 mg Cholesterol; 28 g Carbohydrates; 9 g Protein; 5 g Fiber; 721 mg Sodium; 352 mg Potassium

1 1/2 Carbohydrate Serving

Exchanges: 1 1/2 starch, 1 vegetable, 1/2 lean meat, 1/2 fat