Minestrone

It is getting colder and the craving for hot, substantial food rises.. Away with salads, sandwiches and cold meals! Soups are back. And back in a great style-Italian Minestrone aka 'The Big Soup'.

Ingredients:

2 tbsp olive oil
140g or more cubed pancetta
1 onion, diced
2 carrots, peeled and diced
1 clove garlic, chopped
1 big potato, peeled and diced
2 medium courgettes
400g can chopped tomatoes
1 large sprig basil
Salt and freshly ground pepper
410g can borlotti beans, drained and rinsed
50g small pasta

Put the oil into a large pan over a medium-low heat. Add the pancetta. Once it is beginning to colour, stir in the onion. Fry the onion until very soft, then add the carrots, follow with the garlic, potato and courgette. Cook the courgette for about 2 minutes, then stir in the tomatoes. Fill the tomato tin with water twice, and mix into the soup with the basil, pepper and salt. 
Bring to the boil, then lower the heat so the soup gently bubbles. Cook for 1 hours. As it cooks it will thicken. Twenty minutes before the end of cooking, season to taste, and add the beans and pasta. You'll need to add a little extra water. Return to the boil then simmer until the pasta is cooked. Serve with warm baguette, you can add garlic butter...Still feeling cold? Don't think so!