I have been lucky enough to be surrounded by good cooks in my life. My mom, both of my grandmothers, friends and a sister in law. You will never want for a good meal with these women around. I know the MEN in my life would most certainly agree!
I love to cook. Almost as much as I love taking pictures, it’s definitely a close second. There is something very relaxing about it for me, most days anyway. I love the warmth and aroma of a simmering pot, the color and textures of the food on a plate, the satisfaction that comes from feeding my family something homemade.
A few years ago I inherited my grandma’s recipe box. I was so excited to go through and find the recipes for those family favorites she had made as I was growing up. There were handwritten recipes of her own and those given to her by friends. Clippings from the food sections of magazines and newspapers. I even found a few in my own handwriting, recipes she had me recopy when the originals had become too worn. Such treasures.
Several of her recipes have now become staples in my own home, this recipe for Minestone soup being one of them.
Soups have been on heavy rotation for us this winter and this one gets lots of requests. We even had it for our Christmas Eve dinner. It is the wonderful soup and works perfectly as leftovers for lunch the next day.
Minestrone Soup
6 sticks of Italian sausage, sliced (this is optional, I’ve had it with and without sausage and it’s excellent both ways)
1 yellow onion sliced thin
2 carrots
1/2c celery
2 potatoes, diced
4-6 cups chicken or vegetable stock
1 28oz can tomatoes
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 cup spaghetti broken into 1 inch pieces
1 1/2 tsp dried basil
3 T chopped, fresh parsley
salt and pepper to taste
Parmesan cheese
If using, brown the sausage in dutch oven. Add chopped celery, carrots, onion, potato and garlic. Cook til onions are translucent. Add tomatoes, stock, basil and parsley. Simmer til vegetables are tender, then add pasta. Serve with parmesan cheese and homemade croutons.
Enjoy!
Alison
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9 comments
OOOH. YUMM-O! I am going to try this ASAP! (Any thoughts, though, on substituting tomato sauce for the tomatoes? Hubby doesn’t like tomato chunks, so I’m trying to work around his preferences.
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Alyssa, it might work. I’ve done that with other recipes when I haven’t had canned tomatoes.
Alison.. reading your story reminded me so much of my grandma.. We have a huge photo album she turned into her own cookbook filled with her handwritten recipes, friends recipes, and cutouts from newspapers.. I always enjoy looking at itwhen i go home.. PLUS.. i couldn’t believe how much the writing on the recipe card looks just like my grandmas’s.. ithought i was reading her very own recipe.. Thanks for a great post, and on one of the most frigid days of the year, i will be making your grandma’s soup.. Karla
Thanks for turning me onto yet another great site! I LOVE your photography and your personal touches. Can’t wait to try this!!…and any others you want to pass along.
That was the best recipe I have ever had for minestrone soup. I am giving this recipe two thumbs up! I shared this link with the readers at my blog. Once again. Magnificent!
Your photos are always so stunning and what a treasure to have your Grandma’s recipe box.
How Wonderful! I love the careful, neat handwriting on the recipe card. I also have some of my grandmothers recipe books and covet them. Plus, I also love to pick up old recipe boxes and books at yard sales and auctions…I have found some wonderful recipes this way.
BEAUTIFUL photos, and I LOVE that you have your grandma’s handwritten recipe!!
Thanks for sharing and linking up!
Any recipe that is a “tried and true” for other families I’ve gotta try… thanks for sharing! I’d like to invite you to participate in Foodie Friday. Thanks again for this tasty sounding recipe.