Minestrone Soup ... Oh Yeah!

Perhaps you've heard about the recent series of storms we've had here in CA.  Basically 3 separate storms over a 5 day period.  When it's cold and raining (or even just cold) I like a good bowl of soup or stew and some fresh  baked bread.  With the weather we had, I thought a nice bowl of Minestrone would be good.  Minestrone is one of those soups which has bunches of variations.  None of them are wrong, they are all adjusted to the individual tastes of the cook.  My recipe started as one from printed on the back of a box of pasta some 20+ years ago and I've changed it and refined it over the years.  Will it still be the same 5, 10 or even 20 years from now?  I doubt it.  :-)  I change stuff constantly.  But here is the "now" version for your enjoyment.

1 lb top round steak, cut into 1" pieces
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 small onion, diced
1/2 lb baby carrots
2 small potatoes cubed
1 15oz can dark red kidney beans, drained
2 slices of bacon
1 8oz can tomato sauce
2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
2 quarts beef broth
1 cup dry pasta (I use mini-penne)

In a large pot or dutch oven, cook the bacon until crispy, remove the bacon and set it aside to cool.

In the bacon grease brown the beef and onions until the beef is browned and onions translucent (3 - 5 minutes, stirring often) Add the garlic about 1 minute before the others are done.

Add the beef broth and tomato sauce stirring well, add the Italian seasoning and stir again.  Bring to a boil.

Reduce heat to a simmer and let it simmer for an hour.

Return to a boil, add the carrots and potatoes. Simmer for another hour or so until the carrots are cooked.

In a small saucepan place the dried pasta.  Ladle out enough broth only to cover the pasta.  Bring this to a boil and cook for the time directed on the pasta package.

While the pasta is cooking crush the bacon slices (you thought I forgot about those, didn't you?) into bacon bits.  Add those and the kidney beans to the soup and return to a boil. Turn down to a simmer for 10-15 mins.

When the pasta is done drain the broth back into the soup and keep the pasta separate.

To serve put a small amount of pasta in the bottom of the bowl and ladle soup over it.

Garnish with Parmesan Cheese if desired.

Serve with warm bread or rolls as desired & Enjoy!