Classic Minestrone Soup Recipe

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 3/4 cup chopped onion
• 3/4 cup chopped carrot
• 3/4 cup chopped celery
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 sprigs fresh thyme or a teaspoon of dried thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon fennel seeds, crushed
• 1 Yukon gold potato, peeled and cut into 3/4-inch chunks
• 2 cups sliced savoy or curly cabbage
• 1 zucchini, cut into 3/4-inch chunks
• 2 medium fresh ripe tomatoes (romas if available), cored, peeled, chopped
• 6 cups chicken stock (or vegetable stock for vegetarian version)
• 1 15-ounce can cannellini or great northern white beans, drained (about 1 1/2 cups cooked white beans)
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• Salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Parmesan cheese, grated for garnish