Gambardella's Minestrone Soup
Grrrrrgh!
Course : Italian
From: HungryMonster.com
Serves: 16
 

Ingredients:

1/2 cup dry cannellini or great northern beans
1/2 cup dry red kidney beans
1/2 cup dry garbanzo beans
1/2 cup dry lentils
1/4 cup dry split peas
1 small white potato -- peeled and diced
4 cups chicken or beef broth -- (4 to 5)
32 ounces frozen Italian vegetables
1/4 cup olive oil
1 large onion -- peeled and chopped
4 cloves garlic -- peeled and chopped
1 medium red bell pepper -- stemmed
3 large stal celery -- diced
1 medium fennel bulb-- chopped
1/3 cup fresh basil -- chopped
1/2 cup fresh oregano -- chopped
1/4 cup parsley stems -- chopped
1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary -- crushed
1 tablespoon fennel seeds
1 tablespoon coarse salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 cup fresh ripe tomatoes -- diced
1 cup cooked pasta or rice
 

Preparation:

1. Soak the cannellini, kidney and garbanzo beans, lentils and peas in lots of water to cover overnight. The next day, cook in 3 cups water 20 minutes; skim the foam from the top. Do not drain. 2. Simmer the potatoes in 1 cup broth 15 minutes; set aside. (Do not drain either preparation.) 3. In a heavy-bottomed 8-quart pot heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, bell pepper, celery and fennel; sauté‚until the onions are golden. Add the basil, oregano, parsley, rosemary, fennel seeds, salt and pepper; add simmered beans, undrained potato and vegetables, and tomatoes. Simmer 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Add a little more broth if needed. 4. Serve over pasta or rice