Minestrone Soup

Minestrone is a masterpiece of thrifty Italian cooking: a generously vegetable, bean-thickened, nourishing soup that is a complete lunch on its own.

1. Cut the carrot, the celery and the onion into small cubes.

2. In the olive oil braise the vegetables over a medium heat for a few minutes, until the onion softens.

3. Add the diced tomato, and fry it together briefly.

4. Pour in the water, add the beans, and bring it to the boil.

5. Cook it over a low heat until the beans and vegetables soften, and the soup takes on a nicely thick consistency.

6. Season it with salt at the end, and scent it generously with fresh basil.

Tip: The more kinds of seasonal vegetable go in, the richer it is – this soup is a great way to use up leftovers.