Angel Hair and Fresh Vegetable Soup
alt.cooking-chien/Chris or Fran Twidt (2000)
Yield: 8 servings (1 cup each)

Red bell peppers contain 10 times as much beta-carotene as green bell peppers. This flavorful soup is just one way to incorporate them into your diet.

1 medium carrot, peeled and thinly sliced
1 medium sweet red pepper, seeded and cut into very thin slices
1 quart water
1 quart low-sodium chicken broth
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1 cup packed fresh spinach, thinly sliced
1/4 pound fresh mushrooms, thinly sliced
2 ounces dry angel hair pasta, broken in quarters
3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Combine first seven ingredients in a large pot and bring to a boil.

Cover, reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes or just until vegetables are tender.

Add spinach, mushrooms and angel hair pasta.

Simmer 3 to 4 minutes or until pasta is al dente.

Ladle into serving bowls, and sprinkle each with Parmesan cheese.