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02-01 Veggie Bean Soup

Over med. heat, place in saucepan:
6 oz bacon, chopped or real bacon bits*
Cook 5 min then add a mirepoix:
1 onion, diced
2 celery stalks, diced
2 small carrots, diced
Saute 5 minutes then add:
2 zucchini, diced
1 clove garlic, minced
Cook 3 minutes then add"
3 large tomatoes, diced or 1 14 oz can diced tomatoes with juice
2 15oz cans of Cannelini beans, drained and rinsed**
3 c chicken broth
1/2 t salt
pinch of ground black pepper
Bring to boil, reduce simmer for 10 minutes
Remove from heat and stir in:
6 c fresh spinach, chopped
1/4 freshly grated Parmesan or Asiago
Serves 6, but easy to halve

*If using precooked bacon or bits, add a bit of olive oil
**Almost any bean would work
I will try a colored bell pepper in the mirepoix next time
Original recipe by Jon Alston

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