Hearty Vegetarian Soup

Recipe courtesy of Chatelaine magazine.

Ingredients:
2 tsp olive oil
1 onion, diced
1 carrot, peeled and diced
1 celery stalk, diced
1 garlic clove, minced
¼ tsp hot red chili flakes
796ml can diced tomatoes
½ 540ml can romano beans, drained and rinsed
450ml vegetable broth
Parmesan rind
½ lb green beans
2 cups packed spinach
2 tbsp grated parmesan
¼ cup chopped fresh basil

Method:
- Heat a large saucepan over medium heat. Add oil, then onion, carrot, celery, garlic and chili flakes. Cook until vegetables are slightly tender, about 3 minutes.
- Add tomatoes, beans, broth, parmesan rind, green beans and ¾ cup water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, covered for about 10 minutes until the green beans are tender.
- Remove and discard the parmesan rind. Stir in spinach. Garnish with grated parmesan and basil.

Makes 6 servings; count each serving as 1 protein.