Minestrone

Minestrone is a homely, hearty mixture of vegetables with white beans, rice, pasta or barley. There is usually a mixture of starchy and leafy vegetables and either stock or water. Quite often pesto is added at the end, as it really heightens the flavour. I think when making this at home, it is easiest to make the soup with water and add flavour from either smoky bacon or speck. The soup cooks until all the vegetables are well done and I think that the water base allows the vegetables to tas