Gluten – Free Minestrone Soup with White Beans

Ingredients

• 2 T. Extra virgin olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 3 medium carrots, diced
• 2 large celery stalks, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 6 c. chicken broth, preferably organic
• 2 T. tomato paste
• 1 14-oz. can crushed tomatoes, with liquid
• 2 14-oz. canscannellinibeans, drained and rinsed
• 1/2 c. pearl barley, rinsed and drained
• 2 large bay leaves
• 3' chunk Parmesan cheese rind
• 1 t. Italian seasoning
• 3 c. baby spinach, roughly chopped
• 1/4 c. Fresh parsley, chopped
• Sea salt
• black pepper
• 1-2 oz. Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
• *For a thinner soup, add additional chicken broth