Mmm Mmm Soup

I really enjoy a good soup. The right kind of soup can be a nutritional powerhouse. I eat soup year round... usually doesn't matter if it is cold or hot outside. This weekend a made a delightful soup, based on a combination of 2-3 different recipes.

Vic's Minestrone Soup
1 TBS olive oil
1 onion, diced
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 small zucchini, chopped (3/4" chunks)
1 tsp red pepper flakes
2 cups vegetable stock
2 cups water
2 stalks celery, sliced
2 carrots, julienned
1/2 cup fresh green beans, cut into 1" pieces
6 sun-dried tomatoes (packed in oil), drained and diced
14.5 oz can diced Italian tomatoes
1/2 cup macaroni, cooked and drained
14.5 oz can navy beans, drained and rinsed
1 TBS dried oregano
20 fresh basil leaves, minced

Combine the oil, onions and garlic and saute until onions are translucent. Add the zucchini and red pepper flakes and saute 5 more minutes. Pour in the stock and water and add the celery, carrots, green beans, both kinds of tomatoes, macaroni, beans and oregano. Simmer for 20 minutes. Add the fresh basil, stir and serve.