This is one of my family’s favorite soups.  I got the basic idea from a recipe in The Dash Diet.  It is really easy to make, full of flavor, and it is good for you – it’s loaded with delicious vegetables and of course, garlic.  To make it even healthier, you can choose products that are low sodium or no salt added.  In the ingredients below, I listed 1 or 2 TBSP of Italian Seasoning, but season it to your taste.  Sometimes I just add my own spices like granulated garlic or garlic salt, black pepper, red pepper, and basil leaves.  Also, I stated you need 5 handfuls of torn spinach.  Again, adjust this to your liking.  I just buy a bag of fresh spinach and grab the leaves and tear them as I drop them into the pot.  Spinach really boils down – what may seem like a lot when you put it in, really condenses down as it cooks.  Experiment and have fun.  I guarantee this will soon become one of your family favorites too.

INGREDIENTS

4 TBSP Olive Oil                                                                     

1 large white onion, chopped                                            

1 large red bell pepper, seeded & chopped             

3 or 4 cloves of garlic, minced                       

1 or 2 TBSP Italian Seasoning                        

32oz. chicken broth

1 (28oz.) can diced tomatoes with juice

5 big handfuls fresh spinach, torn

1 (16oz.) can cannellini beans, drained & rinsed

1 (14oz.) can of artichoke hearts packed in water, drained and chopped

16 oz. package of cheese tortellini (plain or tri-color)  Cooked as per pkg. directions

Heat the olive oil in a soup pot over medium heat.  Add the onion, bell pepper, garlic, and Italian seasonings and sauté, stirring occasionally, for approx. 7 minutes, until the ingredients are tender.  Add the chicken broth, diced tomatoes with juice, spinach, beans, and artichokes.  Raise the heat and bring to a boil.  Lower the heat and simmer for 10 minutes.  Add the tortellini to the pot and cook until thoroughly heated, about 3 – 5 minutes.  Serve into soup bowls.  My daughter and I like to sprinkle grated parmesan cheese on our soup.  Enjoy!