Recipe(tried): Minestrone Soup

Dear Michelle, Here is one recipe I have tried and enjoyed!

MINESTRONE SOUP
Makes 8 main dish or 12 side dish servings

1 cup dry great northern beans
8 cups beef broth
3 cups shredded caggage
2 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
2 medium carrots, chopped
1 medium zucchini, bias sliced 1/4 inch thick
1 medium onion chopped
1 16-ounce tomatoes, cut up
1 9-ounce package frozen Italian or cut green beans
1 clove garlic,minced
2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon dried basil, crushed
Grated parmesan cheese

Rinse great northern beans. In large kettle or Dutch oven combine beans and 4 cups water. Bring to boil; reduce heat and simmer for 2 minutes. Remove from heat; cover and let stand 1 hour.(or, cover and soak in water overnight). DO NOT drain. Add beef broth. Return to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 1 1/2 hours.

Stir in cabbage, potatoes, carrots, zucchini, onion,undrained tomatoes, green beans, garlic, salt, and basil. Bring to boiling. Reduce heat;cover and simmer for 35 to 45 minutes or just until vegetables are tender. Sprinkle each serving with parmesan cheese.

If you like, you can add 3/4 cup broken Vermicelli or small pasta to soup during the last 20 minutes of cooking. (I like it this way).