New Year Saturday Recipe Swap 2011

It's been so cold these past few weeks and the McInerneys love to have soup or stew, or even a nice stoup to keep us warm and cozy (and a nice fresh, crusty, Italian loaf always goes well).

Today's Saturday Recipe Swap is Pasta Fagioli!  I got this from my Family Circle Feb 2011 magazine and it is sure to please everyone!

Ingredients: 2 tbsp olive oil
1 onion, diced
3 cloves of garlic chopped
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with basil, garlic and oregano
2 cans (14.5 oz each) reduced sodium chicken broth
8 ounces (about 2 cups) small pasta shells (very very fun for toddlers to pick out and eat)
1 tsp italian seasoning
1 bunch of fresh kale (sooooooo good for you) tough stems discarded, cut into 1 inch pieces and washed
2 cans small white beans, drained, and rinsed (we macs love love love beans)
1 tbsp tomato paste
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
lots and lots of grated parmesan cheese for serving on top (another mac favorite, what can I say, we love cheese)

Directions:
1. Heat oil in a large pot over med. heat.  Add onion and cook for 5 min.  Add garlic cook 1 min.
2. Stir in tomatoes, broth and 3 cups of water.  Bring to a simmer over high heat.  Add pasta and italian seasoning.  Cook stirring for 5 min.
3. Stir in kale, cook 5 min more.  Reduce heat to med. and stir in beans and tomato paste, salt and pepper.  heat through
4. Ladle into bowls and garnish with Parmesan!

Bon Apetit!!!

Serve with love from the Macs :)