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Jaye’s Happily-Ever-After Minestrone

As described in my new book, Walking With Peety: The Dog Who Saved My Life, Jaye and I began dating at age 15 and were inseparable as high school sweethearts. We separated when I joined the U.S. Army at age 17 and then lost touch for the next 40 years. Happily, she found me again in 2016, and we were soon married and have been living happily ever after since.

One of the first things that we did together was veganize her favorite recipes. This one, my favorite, fills our home with a kaleidoscope of Italian garden fragrances as it simmers and bursts with a flavor that makes me feel like the luckiest and best-loved man on Earth.

 

Jaye’s Happily-Ever-After Minestrone

Adapted from Eric and Jaye O’Grey

 

Prep Time: 20 mins

Cook Time: 2 hours, 10 mins

Servings: 6–8

4 1/4 cups vegetable broth

1 large yellow onion, diced

2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced

3 stalks celery, thinly sliced

2 carrots, thinly sliced

1 zucchini, chopped

2 Tbsp. dried oregano

2 Tbsp. dried basil

3/4 Tsp. dried rosemary

3/4 Tsp. dried summer savory

3/4 Tsp. dried sage

3/4 Tsp. dried cilantro

3/4 Tsp. dried marjoram

3/4 Tsp. dried thyme

Salt, to taste

Pepper, to taste

2 15-oz. cans stewed tomatoes

2 cups chopped spinach

1 15-oz. can garbanzo or cannellini beans, drained

1/2 lb. small shell pasta, optional

Nutritional yeast, optional

  • In a large pot, bring 1/4 cup of the vegetable broth to a boil over medium-high heat.
  • Add the onion, garlic, and celery and sauté until tender, stirring frequently and adding more broth as needed.
  • Add the carrots and zucchini and sauté for a few more minutes.
  • Add the remaining vegetable broth and the herbs, salt, pepper, stewed tomatoes, spinach, and beans and stir well.
  • Bring to a boil, then simmer over low heat for at least 2 hours.
  • If using, cook the small shell pasta separately in salted water, drain, and add to the soup.
  • Garnish with nutritional yeast, if desired.

*****

 

Eric O’Grey is an inspirational speaker with a Bachelor of Science in finance from San Jose State University and a Juris Doctor from Emory University. He enjoys long-distance running with his dog, Jake; gourmet plant-based cooking; and spending time with his wife, Jaye. He is passionate about being kind to animals, plant-based nutrition, and helping others to reverse obesity and achieve their optimal weight and happiness. Learn more about Eric and his initiatives at EricAndPeety.com and in his new book, Walking With Peety.