Grab your spoons! We’ve got the perfect after school snack: hot and steamy alphabet soup with crunchy letter shaped croutons.
Ingredients:
1 cup alphabet pasta
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 onions, peeled and cut into eighths
2 large carrots, peeled and cut into chunks
3 ribs celery, cut into chunks
3 ripe plum tomatoes, cut into chunks
1 large clove garlic, peeled
1 small bunch fresh Italian parsley, loosely chopped
4 sprigs fresh thyme
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon pepper
Salt to taste
2 cups water
2 quarts low sodium chicken broth
Steps:
1. Heat the oil in a large saucepan. Add the vegetables and cook until they are soft (about 6 min). Add the garlic and cook for about 2 minutes.
2. Add all the remaining ingredients except for the pasta and reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, covered for 1 hour.
3. Remove garlic clove, bay leaf and thyme sprigs (or discard as you serve).
4. Add the alphabet pasta, stir well, and simmer until the pasta is cooked (10-15 minutes) Serve immediately.
