Minestrone Soup

Dice or finely chop up the carrot, celery, and onion.

Sort, wash, and soak in cold water overnight the kidney beans, peas, and white beans.

Slightly undercook the ditalini, and place in ziplok bags without rinsing, store in refrigerator.

Saute together the garlic, then add the onion. When it is soft, add the finely minced carrot and celery in the butter until the vegetables are soft, but not brown. Do this slowly.

Add the well drained beans and the peas in with the water and the vegetable soup base. Cook the beginning of the soup slowly (gentle boil/simmer) until the beans are almost done, which could be about 1.5 hours. Stir occasionally.

Now, you can add the vegetable stock, the rest of the vegetables, canned (and drained) garbanzo beans, soy sauce and the herbs and spices.

When you're about 30 minutes from serving soup, add the barley.

Just before serving add ditalini (dipped in hot water & drained). Add vegetable stock if needed. Additional Superior Touch Better Than Bouillon Vegetable Base may be added for more flavor.

Pour into serving bowls and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and serve.