Hearty Minestrone Soup

Ingredients

• 2 tsps sugar
• 1 dash pepper
• 1 dash salt
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 cups cabbage, chopped
• 2 medium carrots, chopped
• 2 medium celery stalks, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 4 tbsps parsley, chopped
• 1 cup tomato paste
• 3 litres water
• 420 g kidney beans
• 1 cup brown lentils, washed
• 1 cup dry macaroni
• 1 cube chicken stock
• 1 cube beef stock
• 1/2 cup dry rice

Directions

1. Heat oil in a large pot and saute onion, celery, garlic, parsley and carrots, until limp.
2. Add tomato paste and cabbage. Stir to combine.
3. Add stock powder, water, sugar, rice, pasta, beans and lentils. Stir well and bring to the boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 45 minutes.
4. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Note: fresh parmesan cheese can be sprinkled at the end.