Leek

Wilt the vegetables over low heat, stirring often so they do not burn.

Active time: 30 min Start to finish: 1 hr

Miniature pasta gives a unique twist to the classic Italian vegetable soup.

Servings: Makes 10 servings.

Round out the menu with sliced radicchio, fennel and roasted bell pepper salad; crisp flatbread; and apricot sorbet with cookies.

Adding potatoes to the puree reduces the amount of cream needed to give this soup its thick, creamy texture.

Apples and apple cider lend a pleasant sweetness to this beautiful soup.

The broth can be served on its own as a light starter with or without the vegetables in it. It can also be used in recipes calling for canned vegetable broth.

For bigger matzo balls in this soup form mixture into 12 rounds and cook them for one hour ten minutes.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.