Ingredients:

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
  1           teaspoon  light olive oil
                        -- with a dash of
                        -- toasted sesame oil
  1              whole  onion -- quartered and
                        -- sliced
  2             cloves  peeled garlic -- bashed and chopped
  2              whole  carrots -- peeled and sliced
  2                     parsnips -- peeled and sliced
  2                     turnips -- quartered and
                        -- sliced
  2             stalks  celery -- sliced
  4             medium  peeled yukon gold potatoes -- halved and sliced
  14 1/2        ounces  low-salt tomatoes with juice -- diced
  6                     low or no-fat franks -- cut into 1/2 inch
                        -- (1.75-cm) slices
  1                cup  small pasta shells
     1/2      teaspoon  salt
     1/2      teaspoon  freshly ground black pepper
  2        tablespoons  germany spice mix 
  4               cups  boiling water
  3        tablespoons  german mustard
                        ***GARNISH***
  2        tablespoons  chopped fresh parsley

Preparation:

1. Preheat the pressure cooker (or a heavy saucepan) and add the oil. Drop in the onions and cook until they wilt, 2 minutes. 2. Add the garlic, carrots, parsnips, turnips, celery, and potatoes and cook for 2 minutes. 3. Stir in the tomatoes, franks, pasta, salt, pepper, and spice mix. Pour in the water, cover, and bring the pressure up on high heat, which will take about 10 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium and cook for 4 minutes at high pressure. 4. Remove from the heat and release the pressure by running cold water over the top. (Simmer covered for 1 hour over very low heat if you are not using a pressure cooker). Remove the cover and stir in the mustard. If you do not have a pressure cooker, simply simmer the soup in a saucepan for 45 minutes before adding the mustard. TO SERVE 6 PEOPLE: Ladle into bowls, and sprinkle chopped parsley on top. Offer Hearty Whole Wheat Quinoa Bread (see recipe) in a napkin-lined basket.

Nutritional Information:

94 Calories (kcal); 1g Total Fat; (6% calories from fat); 2g Protein; 21g Carbohydrate; 0mg Cholesterol; 336mg Sodium