“Never underestimate the power of your words and deeds. With a few words, you can change a person’s life. For better or for worse. God puts us all in each other’s lives to impact on another in some way.” -Joyce Meyer
When I think of the power of words, a few friends come to mind. They seem to always build others up and truly care about the lives of others, when realistically they could be negative and drowning in their own sorrows, worries, and hardships. But no … it’s always positive and genuine. They seem to be … comforting.
I recently shared a bowl of minestrone soup with these friends. A comforting bowl of soup.
There’s something about friendship + soup, both comforting and delicious at the same time.
I whipped up a new recipe that my sister told me about, adapted from Olive Garden, using what I already had in my kitchen. Which meant this time of year, no fresh zucchini.
It was delicious! So good, I want to share it with you today!
An easy recipe to keep ingredients on hand for, and good enough for company, too!
So when it comes to provision, goodness, our health, so many blessings in life – I raise my hand to being more positive and comforting to those around me.
When’s the last time you enjoyed a cup or bowl of soup with a friend?
Recipe: Minestrone Soup Recipe {ReluctantEntertainer.com}
Summary: Adapted from The Olive Garden Soup Recipe, when you don’t have fresh zucchini on hand.
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium minced white onion
- 1 can cut green beans
- 2 stalks minced celery
- 4 cloves minced garlic
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 2 cans (15 oz) Bush’s Beans kidney beans, drained
- 2 cans (15 oz) Bush’s Beans great northern or small white beans, drained
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
- 2 chopped carrots
- 2 tablespoons minced parsley
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 3 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 3 cups hot water
- 4-5 cups fresh baby spinach
- ½ cup small shell pasta
Instructions
- Measure olive oil into a large stock pot and heat on medium.
- Put the onion, celery, garlic, and carrots into the pot and saute for about 5 minutes or until the onions become translucent.
- Add the vegetable broth, drained tomatoes, beans, green beans, hot water and spices to the pot.
- Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer for 20 minutes.
- Add the spinach leaves and the pasta and cook for an additional 20 minutes.
Preparation time: 10 minute(s)
Cooking time: 45 minute(s)
Number of servings (yield): 8
Although I do have a blogging relationship with Bush’s Beans, this post is not sponsored today. 
Hi, I'm Sandy. Five years ago I stocked up on beautiful glasses from the Dollar Store. As I started writing about dinner parties, I realized that this "icon" portrays a great message. 
I want to share with you some of my favorite places to visit in blog-land, sites that I learn from and am inspired by, and some beautiful friends that I’ve met over the years.
I need to make this – I know my husband would devour it!!
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Minestrone is one of my favorites, ever. This sounds soooo good. Especially with the cold weather we are having.
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So glad you have wonderful friends who bless you like I am sure you bless them!
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Twitter: jadeldickinson
says:
I haven’t made minestrone soup in a long time, it is perfect for these cold February days and also full of healthy goodness – thanks of the reminder.
Have a lovely day,
Jade
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Could you please explain the number of plates under the soup bowl? They look so pretty. Where would you purchase these sizes of plates?
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Sandy Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 12:41 pm
Hi, CJ! I’ll start from the bottom up. The charger is from MacKenzie-Childs. The glass dinner plate I bought a set of 24 at a yard sale, but you can purchases these at Dollar Tree – yes, really! Then the small black/white dessert plate I bought at TJ Maxx. Ending with the soup bowl – my favorite, standard-white, wedding dishes from 22 years ago! I hope that helps. It’s a fun look to layer the plates/dishes!
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Any time I’ve eaten with friends lately it hasn’t been cold enough for soup, but today’s ice storm would suffice for “cold enough”!
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Hi Sandy,
We are all home sick and waiting for a snowstorm to hit so I have spent the morning going through all your gardening posts. This month is always a hard one as I am wanting to be gardening and start making our camping reservations for the summer. This July we will camp in Glacier, can’t wait! Anyways I have a few gardening questions?
-Did you have much success with asparagus or were they too difficult to grow?
-do you use a fertilizer through the growing season, such as miracle grow?
-What’s your favorite variety of beets to grow?
-Can you use seeds bought over a year ago?
-Are you still using the AeroGarden? I’m contemplating purchasing one.
-You show straw and mention it quite a bit. Do you buy a bale of it and let it sit for 2 years or is that something you buy at a farm supply store? If you do buy it and let it sit do you have a garden mouse problem?
Sorry for so many questions but I am still always inspired to plan and create whenever I visit your blog. Thanks so much for the continued inspiration!
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Twitter: effortlesshr
says:
This looks so comforting!! I want to put this on my menu for next month. I can’t wait to try it.
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Twitter: bellalimento
says:
Can’t go wrong with a warm bowl of minestrone.
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Looks so easy and delish! I love a good bowl of soup.
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I love minestrone soup! One of my favorites! And friends are such a wonderful blessing. Lovely post and lovely blog.
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Twitter: tablefortwoblog
says:
i love that quote! there is definitely so much that you can share with friends over a nice bowl of soup – so much conversation to be had and so many memories to make. i love food
and you!
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Sandy Reply:
February 21st, 2013 at 6:49 pm
Julie, one day we’ll meet in person. Maybe over a bowl of soup!
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Twitter: missnthekitchen
says:
This looks so comforting and totally delicious.
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Such a wonderful classic with loads of healthy goodies!
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My husband loves this soup, I’ve got to make it for him!
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Friendship + Soup is such a beautiful thing. Great post. Great recipe.
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What a deliciously hearty soup!
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