Ingredients for the Minestrone:
- 2 tbsp Olive Oil
- 1 small yellow onion - chopped
- 1 small zucchini - chopped
- 2 garlic cloves - minced
- 1/2 cup frozen cut Italian green beans
- 1 stalk celery - chopped
- 4 cups Vegetable Broth
- 1 can kidney beans - drained
- 1 can Great Northern Beans - drained
- 2 cans diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup shredded carrots
- 2 tbsp. minced parsley
- 1 tsp. Oregano
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
- 1/2 tsp. basil
- 1/4 tsp. thyme
- 1.5 cups hot water
- 3 cups fresh baby spinach
- 1/2 cup pasta (I used rotini) but most recipes call for the shell pasta
Ingredients for Panini's
- Black Forest Ham
- Fontina Cheese - shredded
- Italian Bread
- Dijon Mustard
Steps for Minestrone:
- Heat Olive oil in stock pot on Medium High heat
- Add in onion, garlic, celery, zucchini, and green beans....saute for about 5 min
- Add in broth, tomatoes, beans, and hot water
- Next add in the carrots and spices
- Stir, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and allow to simmer for 20 minutes
- Add in pasta and spinach, and let simmer for another 20 minutes (or longer)
Steps for Paninis:
- Turn on panini grill or in my case - the George Foreman
- Spread mustard onto 1 side of the bread for each sandwich you are making
- Top with Black Forest Ham (1-2 pieces or more if you like)
- Top with some of the fontina cheese
- Then top with your bread
- I sprayed each side of the sandwich with a small amount of olive oil
- Spray the foreman with a small amount of oil on each place
- Place sandwiches on the grill, and shut the lid, but do not push it down on the sandwich.
- Cook for about 5 minutes, once cheese is melted and bread is toasted to your liking
- Slice in half and serve alongside the soup....Enjoy!
