TOMATO SOUP WITH VEGETABLES




Ingredients :
2 carrots, finely chopped 1 celery stalk, sliced
4 tbsp olive oil
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped 4 scallions (spring onions), finely chopped
100 g /1/4 lb string beans (runner beans), topped and tailed and chopped
2 small zucchini (courgettes), finely chopped
400 g / 2 cups canned tomatoes, chopped
875 ml / 31/2 cups vegetable broth (stock)
1 bay leaf
1 sprig thyme
1 tbsp tomato paste (puree)
100 g /1/2 cup canned chick peas, rinsed and drained
Salt and freshly ground pepper 30 g /1/3 cup freshly shaved hard cheese, to serve
A few fresh basil leaves, to garnish

Method : Prep and cook time: 50 min
1)    Fry the carrots and celery in hot olive oil for about 3 minutes, add the garlic, scallions (spring onions), string beans (runner beans), zucchini (courgette) and tomatoes and continue frying for a further 1-2 minutes.
2)    Add the broth (stock), bay leaf and thyme, season with salt and pepper and stir in the tomato paste (puree). Simmer gently for a further 10-15 minutes.
3)    Add the chick peas and simmer for 5 minutes until heated through.
4)    To serve, ladle into bowls, scatter with hard cheese and garnish with basil leaves.