Minestrone Soup

Lest you think that the only items we eat are baked goods...  This was an excellent soup and a good way to use up some random things that were in the fridge and cupboards.

Additionally, I discovered this great vegan vegetable base "Better than Bouillon" at Kroger, which I am a big fan of.  I like the way it dissolves easily and think it tastes much better than pretty much any other stock I have purchased in the store.

Anyway, here are the ingredients:
1 onion, chopped
5 stalks celery, chopped
2 potatoes, cubed
2 Tbs. chopped garlic
olive oil
32-oz canned tomatoes
8 c. vegetable broth (I made it with the Better than Bouillon)
1 can white beans, like Cannellini or northern
1 bunch kale, tough middle rib removed, chopped
1 c. dry orzo, cooked

Cook the onion, celery, potatoes, and garlic in a little olive oil until they are softened.  Add the tomatoes, broth, and beans, and bring the soup to a boil.  Then turn down the heat and simmer until the potatoes are cooked.  Finally, add the chopped kale and cook for a few more minutes until it is wilted.  Add the orzo at the very end so it doesn't get all soggy. 

Just so you know, when we put the leftovers in the fridge, much of the liquid was soaked up by the next day, which was interesting.  It tasted just as good even then, though.  But you could add more water when you re-heat it if you prefer it soupy over stew-like.