Minestrone Soup Recipe

Ingredients

3 Tbsp SOOC Garlic Olive Oil
1 small onion, chopped
1/4 cup zucchini, chopped
1/2 cup frozen cut green beans
1/2 cup celery, minced
1 clove garlic, minced
4 cups vegetable broth
1 (15 oz) can red kidney beans, drained
1 (15 oz) can small white beans, drained
1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes
1/2 cup carrots, julienned
2 Tbsp fresh parsley, minced
1 tsp. dried oregano
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. black pepper
1/2 tsp. dried basil
1/4 tsp. dried thyme
1 1/2 cups hot water
3 cups fresh baby spinach
1/3 cup small pasta shells

Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large saucepan or soup pot over medium heat and sauté onion, celery, garlic, zucchini and green beans, about 5 minutes.
2. Then add vegetable broth, diced tomatoes, beans, carrot, hot water and spices. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat, allowing soup to simmer for about 20 minutes.
3. Add baby spinach leaves and pasta, cooking an additional 20 minutes, then serve. Enjoy!

Nutritional Information

Serving Size: 1 1/4 cups * Calories: 190 * Fat: 4 g * Carbs: 30.4 g * Fiber: 9 g * Protein: 8.9 g

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Ginger’s Dark Chocolate Balsamic & Walnut Oil Chicken Breast Salad

3 to 4 fresh chicken breasts
1 cup dark chocolate balsamic vinegar
1 cup walnut oil
1 sweet onion
Fresh spinach
Chopped walnuts
Feta cheese
Fresh berries (blueberries, raspberries, strawberries)

Directions:

Take chicken breasts and add ¼ cup of dark chocolate balsamic and ¼ cup of walnut oil. Set aside in refrigerator for a few hours.

Next, place 2 tablespoons of walnut oil into a frying pan over low heat. Add a few handfuls of fresh spinach. Wilt the spinach on low heat until it is the consistency you prefer (wilted but not too soft). Place the spinach on 3 or 4 plates. Top each salad with chopped walnuts, 1/8 cup chopped sweet onion, and 2 tablespoons feta cheese.

While building the salads, grill the marinated chicken breasts. Chop the grilled chicken breasts into cubes and add to the salads. Finish with a vinaigrette for the salad with 2/3 cup dark chocolate balsamic and 1/3 walnut oil. Top with your favorite fresh berries.

The vinaigrette is also very delicious enjoyed with vanilla ice cream and fresh berries!

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