Quick and Healthy Minestrone Soup

Soup is probably one of my favorite foods.  It's delicious, there are endless possibilities and it warms you up on a cold day.  I especially like this particular recipe.  It's a beautiful soup, filled will all sorts of vegetables.  I like to make it a day ahead, as it always tastes best the next day.

Quick and Healthy Minestrone

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 cups chopped carrots

1 cup chopped onion

1 cup chopped celery

3 cloves garlic, chopped

1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes, undrained

4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 teaspoon dried thyme

2 cups packed, sliced fresh spinach or 1 box frozen spinach

1 15-ounce can small navy beans, rinsed

2/3 cups cooked brown rice

Salt and pepper to taste

Heat olive oil in a large, heavy saucepan over medium heat. Add the carrots, onion, and celery ; sauté 10 minutes, until vegetables are tender-crisp, adding in the garlic the last minute.

Stir in the tomatoes, broth, and herbs, and bring to a boil.

Cover, reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes, until carrots are tender. Add spinach, cover and simmer for 5 more minutes.

Stir in the beans and rice, simmer for one minute, or until hot. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serves 6-8.