Ciao Chow Linda

Vegetable and Swiss Chard Stalk Soup 

Author: Ciao Chow Linda

Ingredients

• 1 large bunch of Swiss chard, stalks diced and leaves roughly chopped

• 1 large onion, diced

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1/4 cup olive oil

• 1 cup of fresh tomatoes, diced (or one small can diced tomatoes)

• 1 small can cannellini beans

• 1 cup of green beans, cut into small pieces

• kernels from two ears of corn (optional)

• 6 cups either water or chicken broth, or a combination of both

• a parmesan cheese rind

• a nice handful of parsley, minced

• salt, pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Pour the olive oil into a large pot and saute the onion and garlic until soft on low temperature. Do not let them brown. Add the rest of the ingredients, except the green beans and the parsley, and let everything cook together for about 1/2 hour. If you have fresh corn, add the kernels from that too. Add more water or chicken broth if the soup is too thick.

2. Add the green beans and cook until they are tender, about ten minutes.

3. Stir the parsley at the last minute before serving, to get a fresher taste.

4. Remove the parmesan cheese rind, and serve with grated parmesan and Italian bread that’s been toasted and smeared with olive oil and salt.