Quinoa Minestrone Soup

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1 leek (finely sliced)
• 2 cloves garlic (finely sliced)
• 3 celery sticks (finely sliced)
• 2 carrots (finely sliced)
• 1 zucchini (large, diced)
• 2 bay leaves (optional)
• 1 tablespoon italian herbs (dried)
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 400 g canned diced tomatoes
• 2 litres vegetable stock
• 1 cup cauliflower florets (optional)
• 1 cup quinoa (rinsed)
• 1/2 cup dried pasta (mini, optional)
• 1/2 cup parsley leaves (chopped)
• 2 cups baby spinach
• sea salt & cracked black pepper