Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Monkey Minestrone



Sunday night, I made a huge pot of the Monkey Minestrone from Eat, Drink & Be Vegan. Seriously, I got 7 full dinner-size portions of soup from this recipe! I was in the mood for soup and I had all the ingredients to make this one.

However, I did reduce the oil to one teaspoon, substituted additional celery for the hated onions, and substituted peas for green beans (I didn't have any green beans). My beans of choice this time were white kidney beans and chickpeas. For the pasta, I used quinoa shells and the remaining one half of a brown rice lasagna noodle (broken into small pieces) that was lonely in its box.

I love the pop of flavor that the fresh thyme and oregano impart. Still, this soup is a little bland, probably because it's meant for children. I added more black pepper and, next time, I'll probably increase the garlic, herbs, and spices. This is a comforting, delicious soup that definitely hit the spot and made enough for an entire week worth of lunches!

Everyone at work loved the cupcakes! I think the Christmas sprinkles brought a little extra spirit to an otherwise mundane, albeit beautiful, Thursday in mid-November. I just love spreading the vegan joy through baked goods!

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

The soup looks yummy--and I can't believe you hate onions! Even sauteed until squishy-soft, and deep caramel?? I would expire without onions and garlic!

So glad that everyone liked the cupcakes! I find that chocolate is a great equalizer. :)

Tami said...

Part of me says "Soup without onions? Blashphemy!" But a bigger part says, the only way to make soup is to make it your own. Good for you!

ChocolateCoveredVegan said...

I absolutely love making huge pots of soup. Freezing leftovers = one happy CCV on a rainy day when I don't wanna cook!

Anonymous said...

Making a big pot of soup & freezing it up is such a life saver! My freezer is growing a bit bare...I need to make some more!

River (Wing-It Vegan) said...

What a yummy looking minestrone, and you can't go wrong with a dish that has the word "monkey" in it!
YAY for spreading the vegan joy through baked goods!

Anonymous said...

that soup looks so delicious. i have been meaning to make a huge pot of soup, but this heat is killing me man!

it's criminal that it's too hot in NOVEMBER to make soup! GRRRR.