Bean and Olive Soup

• Dutch oven or large saucepan with lid
• wooden spoon

• 2 T olive oil
• 1¼ c onion, chopped
• 1 stalk celery, diced
• 1 medium carrot, diced
• 1 t salt
• 1 t oregano or marjoram
• 1½ t basil
• 1 small or ½ of a medium zucchini, diced
• 1 small bell pepper, chopped
• 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 oz tomato paste
• 4 c vegetable stock or water
• 1 c dry white beans, soaked and cooked or 2 c canned beans, drained and rinsed
• ¼ c dry red wine (optional)
• black pepper
• 1 c black olives, sliced
• 1 T lemon juice
• handful parsley, minced

Heat oil over medium heat. Sauté onion, celery, carrot, salt, and herbs, stirring occasionally, until tender, 8-10 minutes.

Add zucchini, bell pepper, and garlic, sauté 5 minutes.

Stir the tomato paste into the veggie stock and add to vegetables along with beans, optional wine, pepper, olives, and lemon juice.

Lower heat, cover, and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes.

Garnish and serve.

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