Mexican Minestrone

A Spaghetti Western in a bowl. This soup is a hardy twist on the traditional Minestrone

Recipe By     : Ellen M. Ennis Davis
Serving Size  : 12   


  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
  1         tablespoon       olive oil
  2               cans           diced tomatoes -- (10 oz)
  1                cup           salsa
  1                                 onion -- chopped
  1              clove          garlic -- grated
  1              stalk           celery -- chopped
  1                                carrot -- quartered and sliced
  1                                zucchini -- quartered and sliced
  2        tablespoons     chili powder
  1         tablespoon      Italian seasoning
  1              pound        chicken breasts without skin -- cubed
  1                can          black beans -- (15 oz) drained and rinsed
  1 1/2           cups       frozen corn
  1                cup          Corn macaroni, small shells
 8 1/2           cups        (2 litres) chicken stock
  2               cups         greens -- Kale, Spinach or Chard/ chopped
  1                cup         shredded cheddar cheese (optional)

In a dutch oven heat oil, add all vegetables except black beans, corn and greens. Saute on high heat until onions and celery are translucent

Add your chicken and cook until opaque, drained and rinsed and add beans, stock, tomatoes (do not drain), Italian seasoning and chili powder.

Cover and simmer for 1 1/2 hours . About 30 minutes before you're ready to eat, remove lid.  Stir in your frozen corn, greens and pasta. Replace lid, and cook another 30 minutes or so.

Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with chopped green onion and Cheddar cheese.


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Per Serving (without cheese): 200 Calories; 3g Fat (13.1% calories from fat); 16g Protein; 28g Carbohydrate; 6g Dietary Fibre; 21mg Cholesterol; 1074mg Sodium.  Exchanges: 1 1/2 Grain(Starch); 1 1/2 Lean Meat; 1 Vegetable; 1/2 Fat.




Per Serving (including cheese): 245 Calories; 7g Fat (24.3% calories from fat); 19g Protein; 28g Carbohydrate; 6g Dietary Fibre; 33mg Cholesterol; 1144mg Sodium.  Exchanges: 1 1/2 Grain(Starch); 2 Lean Meat; 1 Vegetable; 1 Fat.