Soup-er Sunday: Kale & Quinoa Minestrone

A few weeks ago I walked in our front door exhausted after a long day at work (and an equally long week). It was a Wednesday, and the couch was calling my name. When I walked in I was greeted by my boys and my mother-in-law. She was there to babysit and insisted Christian and I go out to dinner. After finding my fourth wind for the day, we had to our favorite date spot Lubo. After a delicious glass of wine, I ate the best soup I have ever tried: Super Soup. It included tons of super foods: veggies, kale, quinoa, etc.  I have searched and searched for a recipe similar with no luck. This soup was as close as I could find to the soup I now crave weekly.

Kale and Quinoa Minestrone

(Thank you Cooking Classy for getting close to my favorite!)

Ingredients

• 1 large yellow onion, diced (2 cups)
• 3 medium carrots, diced (1 1/2 cups)
• 2 stalks celery, diced (1 cup)
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 2 cups diced, fresh zucchini (from about 2 small)
• 2 cups green beans, cut into 1-inch segments
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (32 oz) carton unsalted or low-sodium vegetable broth
• 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
• 3 cups water
• 3 1/2 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley
• 1 tsp dried rosemary, crushed
• 3/4 tsp dried thyme
• 1 1/2 tsp granulated sugar
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 3/4 cup dry quinoa
• 1 (15 oz) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 (15 oz) can chick peas, drained and rinsed (aka garbanzo beans)
• 2 (heaping) cups chopped fresh kale, thick ribs removed
• 1 Tbsp lemon juice
• Shredded parmesan cheese, for garnish (omit or use vegan parmesan if making vegan)

Directions

• In a large stockpot, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add diced onion, carrots and celery and saute about 5 minutes, until softened. Add in zucchini, green beans, red bell pepper and saute 2 minutes, then add garlic and cook 1 minute longer.
• Add in vegetable broth, crushed tomatoes, water, parsley, rosemary, thyme, granulated sugar, season with salt and pepper to taste and bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to medium and allow soup to gently boil, uncovered for about 20 minutes.
• Add in dry quinoa then cover and cook 15 – 20 minutes longer.
• Add cannellini beans, chick peas, kale and lemon juice and cook, uncovered, until kale has wilted, about 5 minutes. Serve warm garnished with parmesan cheese.

The recipe makes more than enough to share (make sure you are using a large soup pan). And it got a thumbs up from everyone in our house.