Tofu Minestrone

Tofu Minestrone

Tofu Minestrone is a quick, easy weeknight soup that can be tailored to the cook’s or the family’s tastes with some substitutions. You can substitute any bean you prefer for garbanzo beans, and season the soup to your taste with basil, thyme, oregano, or any other spices you like.

Serve with a fresh, hearty multigrain or oat bread, and you have a warm meal for a cold day.

This soup serves two with plenty of leftovers and can easily be doubled or tripled for more servings.

Prep time: 10 minutes                                     Cooking time: 40 minutes

Ingredients

Olive oil  1 tablespoon

Extra Firm Tofu  ½ pound diced into bite-sized cubes- Learn  to press water out of tofu to help retain itshttps://recipeswanted.com/ter-out-of-tofu-to-help-it-hold-its-shape-when-cooking/ shape when cooking, click here https://recipeswanted.com/ter-out-of-tofu-to-help-it-hold-its-shape-when-cooking/

Onion  ½ coarsely chopped

Garlic  2 cloves minced

Celery  1 stalk coarsely chopped

Carrot  1 medium, coarsely chopped- can substitute baby cut carrots

Butternut squash  ½ cup diced into small cubes- can substitute other squash or sweet potatoes

Zucchini ½ coarsely chopped

-can substitute 1 cup of frozen mixed vegetables as a time saver-

Diced tomatoes  15-ounce can

Garbanzo Beans 15-ounce can, drained

Vegetable broth  2 cups- can substitute chicken broth

Basil  1 teaspoon

Thyme  ½ teaspoon

Oregano  ¼ teaspoon

Salt  1 teaspoon

Pasta  small-sized, like small shells, elbows, mini-farfalle

Pepper to taste

Instructions

1. In a large saucepan, heat olive oil over a medium heat.
2. Add tofu cubes, swirling the oil around them, and stir gently and continuously until they begin to show a light golden crust.
3. Add onions, garlic, celery, and butternut squash, and sauté, stirring gently and continuously to prevent sticking to the bottom of the pan.
4. Add zucchini, garbanzo beans, diced tomatoes, and vegetable broth. Stir, bring to a boil on high, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer for 5 minutes.
5. Add spices and salt. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes.
6. Add pasta and cook for 10 more minutes.
7. Soup’s On! Enjoy!