Recipes for a dear friend....

A close friend of mine has just been faced with the challenge of overcoming breast cancer. Her prognosis looks great but she still has to complete the next few months of treatment. She is a loving warm intelligent woman, a wonderful wife and one terrific mommy to three beautiful children. We are separated by distance and I want so much to be there to help her out. I've promised her personal updates and at her request tried and true yummy recipes.

So, Megan, here's the first of many wonderful family recipes that I make for my kids and husband. Most of them are recipes shared from generation to generation. This particular soup is amazing. We serve it with warm bread and is great to take to someone when sharing a meal. The recipe makes enough for two families. I'd be making it for you if I were closer :) Enjoy!

Sicilian Minnestroni Soup
2 tbl olive oil
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup diced carrots
2 cloves minced garlic
2 can of tomato basil soup (campbells or any other brand)
4 cups beef broth
4 oz prosciutto finely chopped
1 tsp dried rosemary
1 lb extra lean ground beef or use ground turkey
1-14.5 ox canned diced tomatoes with juices
1 cup red wine
1 tsp pepper
1-20 oz can small white beans
1/3c orzo pasta in box
garnish parm cheese

In a large stock pot heat olive oil, add onion, carrots, garlic, prosciutto, rosemary. Cook stirring until vegies soften about 5-7 min. Add meat, cook until brown, drain off fat. Add tomatoes, wine and pepper cook 5 min. Add soup mix, beef broth and beans. Bring soup to a boil and reduce to med low and simmer 45 minutes. Sprinkle orzo in soup and simmer 15 minutes more.
P.s. Sharing this recipe at A Grocery Cart Challenge were other ladies are sharing their tried and true!