In case anyone is looking for some good recipes... here are a couple I have had some success with so far:
Minestrone Stoup
Ingredients:
•2 Tbl olive oil
•2 small yellow onions diced
•3 carrots, diced
•2 ribs celery, diced
•2 medium zucchini, ends trimmed, diced
•2 cloves garlic, minced
•1 tin red kidney beans, rinsed, drained, 1/2 mashed
•1 tsp salt
•1/2 tsp ground black pepper
•1/4 bunch Italian parsley, chopped
•1 28 tin whole tomatoes & juice, mashed up a bit
•2 1/2 cups vegetable stock
•1 bay leaf
•1/2 head Napa cabbage, cored, chopped
•2/3 C dry red wine - not optional totally makes this meal
•1/3 C whole wheat elbow macaroni
•some water
•Grated Parmesan for serving
Saute the celery, carrots, onion, zucchini, and garlic in olive oil in 2 batches, just until translucent & some color started to show on the veggies. (optional) Add everything except the last 5 ingredients. Cook on low for 6-8 hours. Add everything else except the cheese and cook on low for 1 1/2-2 hours. Serve with cheese.
YUM!