Whereas chicken soup might be Jewish penicillin, to me minestrone is medicine for the soul. I am longing for Italy and am cooking as much Italian food as I can right now.
Head straight on to the Recipe For ♥ Minestrone ♥
Did you know that bees produce propolis to build their hives? It is another byproduct that has amazing health benefits and was used in ancient times to treat wounds, fight infections and aid with healing. The majority of compounds found in propolis are polyphenols, which are antioxidants that fight disease. Given that propolis has antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties, it has found a deserved place in my home. Last year a client asked me to order propolis for him, and I decided to get a bottle for myself. I wish I had known about this when I had severe eczema as it is fantastic when used topically. I took the propolis before we went to the Netherlands, to make sure I did not get sick. And I carried on taking it right through to February of this year. And then I decided to stop using it regularly.
Today’s inspirational recipe from Lavender and Lime ♥ Minestrone ♥ #LavenderAndLime Share on X
A few weeks later I woke up with a sore throat and that day I took the propolis. Within two days my sore throat was gone, and it had not developed into anything worse. This is not the norm for me as a sore throat used to mean I would get bronchitis within the week. I am now taking 4 drops every morning in some water. Not only because I do not want to get sick this winter but also to keep all the nasties at bay. Whereas I would highly recommend this tincture to everyone, it comes with a few caveats. If you are allergic to bees or honey or have asthma, this may not be the best solution for you. Have you heard of propolis, and if so, do you take it?
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Minestrone
Ingredients
- 30 mls olive oil
- 1 small onion, peeled, cut in half, and thinly sliced
- 1 clove garlic, thinly sliced
- 1 carrot, peeled and grated
- 2 ribs celery, thinly sliced
- 3 sprigs parsley, leaves picked
- 1 stalk rosemary, leaves picked
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 potato, diced
- 50 mls red wine
- 30 g tomato paste
- 1 baby marrow, quartered
- 50 g frozen peas
- 50 g green beans, trimmed and cut into thirds
- 1.5 l vegetable stock
- 50 g orecchiette
- 50 g tinned cannellini beans, rinsed (drained weight)
- 5 mls basil pesto
- 1 squeeze lemon juice
- salt and freshly ground black pepper to season
- Parmesan cheese, grated, to garnish
Method
- Place the olive oil into a large soup pot and heat over a medium temperature
- Add the onion, reduce the temperature and sautée until soft
- Add the garlic and cook until fragrant
- Add the carrot, celery, parsley, rosemary and bay leaf, increase the temperature and cook until the celery is soft
- Add the potato, red wine, tomato pase and simmer for 2 minutes
- Add the baby marrow, peas and green beans, stir to combine then pour in the stock
- Reduce the temperature and simmer for 45 minutes
- At this stage you can purée the soup if you don't want it chunky
- Bring to the boil and add the orecchiette and cook until al dente
- Add the tinned beans and cook for 5 minutes
- Add the pesto and lemon juice and stir to combine
- Season to taste, spoon into bowls, garnish with grated parmesan and enjoy
Take a look at what was previously posted on Lavender and Lime on June 27:
- 2021: Prodigal Son
- 2018: Shiraz SA Awards 2018
- 2016: Savoury Mince Baked Pirozhki
- 2012: I Love My Country!
- 2011: Le Creuset Evening At Silwood
Hi Tandy, I do know about propolis and its benefits, Michael and I are both very allergic to bees so its not a solution for us. Thank you for sharing your soup recipe. I shall try it as soon as we finish my latest made up creation.
That is so sad you cannot use it! And enjoy the soup when you make it 🙂
Un concentrato di bontà, bravissima!!!
Grazie 🙂
Yeah, propolis is a really good thing (Which sometimes is not too easy to find.)
And Minestrone? Yes please! Perfect comfort soup for a chilly day 🙂
Indeed, the best comfort soup 🙂
Your testimony is interesting, so I checked WebMD, a generally respected source, which says that propolis has some anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory effects; however:
“People commonly use propolis for diabetes, cold sores, and swelling and sores inside the mouth. It’s also used for burns, canker sores, genital herpes, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. There is also no good evidence to support using propolis for COVID-19.”
You must be lucky that it works for you.
best… mae at maefood.blogspot.com
I have used WebMD as a resource over the years, and yes, I know there is no scientific evidence to support taking propolis. But, I find this a lot with non Pharma alternatives, which I would rather use. Given that I have had a good outcome with my clients who are using this, I am sure it is more than luck that it works.
Tandy you make a very good point about “Pharma alternatives”- in regard to Maes’ “-there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses”= I would venture that there is no monetary incentive to even test them to find out!!
I totally agree with you! And I am grateful for that, as my alternatives are at least affordable 🙂
What a wonderful hearty soup- of course its 90 degrees here but no matter to me- I love soup in any season. I’ve heard about the bee propolis being wonderful, but have always hesitated to use it because I do not know if I am allergic to bees since thankfully I’ve never been stung.
Wow, to have never been stung is amazing. I have been stung, and have had a reaction to the sting, but I take the propolis regardless 🙂