Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup

My dear old dad went through a stage of making minestrone soup and garlic bread on a Saturday night. It was one of my favourite meals growing up. The other day I was reminded of this meal and I decided to make my own version.

We love soup in this house but this is not a meal I have made for my little family before. My husband Howard really enjoyed it but my son Ted was not that impressed. As for me, I was taken back to my youth and reminded of my Dad’s delicious dinner. It’s well worth trying.

What was your favourite meal growing up? Let me know in the comments below and please don’t forget to like and follow me.

Equipment

• Sharp knife
• Chopping board
• Vegetable peeler
• Teaspoon
• Slow cooker
• Stirring spoon

Ingredients

• Bacon x 8 rashers
• Onion x 1
• Garlic cloves x 2
• Carrot x 1
• Celery stick x 1
• Butternut squash x 200g
• Tomatoes x 1 400g tin
• Bone broth or chicken stock x 800 mls
• Dried mixed herbs x 1 tsp
• Bay leaves x 2
• Spinach x 2 handful
• Salt and pepper to taste

Method

• Peel, slice and dice the onion and put it into the slow cooker pot.
• Slice the celery and put this into the pot too.
• Now peel and dice the carrot and butternut squash and put these vegetables into the pot as well.
• Remove the skin from the garlic cloves and slice it and put this into the pot too.
• Slice the bacon rashers and add this to the pot.
• Pour in the tomatoes and broth or stock.
• Add in the dried mixed herbs and bay leaves.
• Sprinkle over salt and pepper to your taste.
• Turn the slow cooker onto high for 4 hours and low for 8 hours.
• Before the end of the cooking process chop the spinach and add it to the slow cooker pot.
• Once the spinach has wilted serve the soup.
• Then enjoy.

Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup was a hit with Howard and myself. As I mentioned earlier Ted was not as keen. The soup was easy to prepare and cook. You could prepare the meal the night before and then all you have to do is switch the slow cooker on in the morning. Plus all the ingredients in this meal can be frozen and stored in the freezer for up to six months. However you decide to eat this meal, as always, please enjoy. xxx