My mother’s soup and biscuits have become a favourite in our family. Whenever I make this meal, I’m reminded of home.

Minestrone Soup
Printable Recipe

2 tsp olive oil
1 onion
2 carrots
2 stalks of celery
2 cloves crushed garlic
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp basil
1/2 tsp salt
1/8 tsp ground pepper
4 cups water
1 vegetable boullion cube
1 can crushed tomatoes
1 can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 cup pasta shells or macaroni
1 green pepper, diced

In a dutch oven, heat oil on medium heat, add onion and garlic. Stir for 2 minutes. Add celery, carrots, spices, salt and pepper. Stir for 4 minutes. Add water. Turn on high heat and bring to boil. Add boullion cube and pasta. Turn on medium heat after water comes to a boil again. Check in 10 minutes. If pasta is cooked, add the rest of ingredients. Simmer for 15-20 minutes.

Cheese Biscuits
Printable Recipe

1 1/2 cups flour
1 tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 tbsp sugar
1/2 cup shredded cheese
1/3 cup shortening or butter
1 egg
1/2 cup milk
Combine flour, baking powder, salt, sugar and cheese. Cut in shortening with a pastry cutter or 2 butter knives. Mix together egg and milk and blend into flour mixture. Knead lightly into a ball, then roll on a floured surface to 3/4″ thickness. Cut out biscuits with a 2 1/2″ cutter (I use a cup), dipping it into flour for each cut. Lay in an ungreased ban and bake at 375 for 15 minutes until well risen and slightly golden.

I was making this for dinner the other night and we ended up having some relatives over as well. I was a little worried there wouldn’t be enough so I made a salad too and there was plenty for everyone. It’s a pretty thick and hearty soup, almost like a stew, so it fills you up. The cheese biscuits go really nicely with this soup, and if there are any left over after dinner, the biscuits are extra yummy when topped with strawberry jam. Cole likes to help me make the biscuits, probably even more than he likes eating them. He likes the soup a lot too, actually we all do. Our guests enjoyed it and complimented it too. My niece said it reminded her of burritos (I guess because of the beans?).  I’m not sure about that, but it was good soup!