Homemade Minestrone Tortellini Soup for a Cold Snowy ~ April ???

A Cold Snowy April??? Yep! Up here in the northern Midwest, we can get snow in April. That is why a pot of homemade tortellini soup is so necessary... it can put the sunshine back into life. My family comes from northern Italy very near the Trento Alto Adige where it can snow in April.

For this delicious homemade soup, you will need to buy: 1 lb. beef stew meat, tortellini pasta, and fresh green zucchini. If you don't have in the pantry these items, then head to the grocer: small can of diced tomatoes, onion, beef stock, one small can of pinto beans and grated parmesan cheese. Its simple and that is why it is fast, frugal and hearty. Soup is the best meal to have after an afternoon of spring yard cleaning ... even in the snow.

This soup can be done right on the stove top, though some recipes use a crockpot. First, begin by sauteing one whole chopped onion in olive oil in a covered stock pot on med. heat. Add your chunked beef stew meat stirring among the chopped onion letting the meat brown on all sides. Pour in 2 cups of beef stock, one small can of diced tomatoes, 1 cup or one small can of drained pinto beans, and washed diced fresh green zucchini. Toss in a dash of salt, black pepper, garlic powder and dried herbs: rosemary, mint,oregano and parsley.

Give the soup a good stir, reduce the heat to low, cover and let it simmer for 1 hour. When you are ready to eat, boil salted water for the tortellini pasta. I don't ever mix my pasta into a soup. Get some garlic bread going in the oven or toaster oven, set the table with some green olives, grated and even a chunk of parmesan cheese and you're good to go.

 with parmesan

without parmesan

~ Tutti a Tavola!