Recipe for alphabet soup

Let's enjoy cooking !!

Serves 6

Though essential to the dish, alphabet noodles for alphabet soup can be a challenge to find. If you can’t find them at your local grocer, Vitacost.com offers a couple of options, both organic and conventional. Otherwise, substitute any other fun shape like farm animals. They may need another minute or two to cook.

2	tablespoons olive oil
1	onion, chopped
3	carrots, chopped
2	stalks celery, chopped
1	tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
1	bay leaf
	Salt and pepper, to taste
1	can (28 ounces) diced tomatoes
10	cups vegetable stock or water
1	medium zucchini, chopped
½	cup frozen peas
2	ears fresh corn, kernels removed or 1 cup frozen corn
1	can (15 ounces) red beans, drained
1½	cups alphabet pasta or another tiny pasta shape

1. In a soup pot over medium heat, heat the oil. Add the onion, carrot, celery, thyme, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Lower heat to medium-low. Cover and cook for 15 minutes, stirring often.

2. Add the tomatoes and vegetable stock or water. Bring to a boil over high heat. Add the zucchini, peas, corn, beans, and pasta. Return to a boil, lower the heat, and simmer for 5 to 6 minutes or until pasta is tender but still has some bite.

3. Taste for seasoning, add more salt and pepper, if you like, and ladle into bowls. Karoline Boehm Goodnick