Olive Garden Minestrone Soup (Copycat)

Recipe by Suzy9725

3 tablespoons olive oil

1 cup minced white onion (about 1 small onion)

1⁄2 cup chopped zucchini

1⁄2 cup frozen cut Italian cut green beans

1⁄4 cup minced celery (about 1/2 stalk)

4 teaspoons minced garlic (about 4 cloves)

4 cups vegetable broth (Swanson is good *note ( Do not use chicken broth!*)

2 (15 ounce) cans red kidney beans, drained

2 (15 ounce) cans small white beans or 2 (15 ounce) cans great northern beans, drained

1 (14 ounce) can diced tomatoes

1⁄2 cup carrot (julienned or shredded)

2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley

1 1⁄2 teaspoons dried oregano

1 1⁄2 teaspoons salt

1⁄2 teaspoon ground black pepper

1⁄2 teaspoon dried basil

1⁄4 teaspoon dried thyme

3 cups hot water

4 cups fresh Baby Spinach

1⁄2 cup small shell pasta

To Make

Heat three tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat in a large soup pot.

Saute onion, celery, garlic, green beans, and zucchini in the oil for 5 minutes or until onions begin to turn translucent.

Add vegetable broth to pot, plus drained tomatoes, beans, carrot, hot water, and spices. Bring soup to a boil, then reduce heat and allow to simmer for 20 minutes.

Disneyland's Clam Chowder Recipe (Copycat)

Disneyland's Clam Chowder Recipe (Copycat)

5 Tablespoons butter

5 Tablespoons flour

2 Tablespoons vegetable oil

1 1/2 cups potatoes, peeled and diced

1/2 cup diced onion

1/2 cup red pepper

1/2 cup green pepper

1/2 cup celery

2 1/4 cups clam juice 

1 1/2 cups heavy cream

1 cup clams, chopped

1/2 Tablespoon dried thyme

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 pinch white pepper

1/2 teaspoon Tabasco sauce

sourdough bread, slices (optional)

To Make

Melt the butter in a saucepan and then add the flour to make a roux. Cook for 10 minutes over medium heat, stirring often, then set aside.

In a large pot, heat the oil and saute the potatoes, onion, peppers and celery over medium heat until the potatoes are just barely tender, about 10 minutes, or until the potatoes are cooked.

Add the heavy cream, clam juice, clams, thyme, salt, pepper, Tabasco sauce, and roux. Whisk well to blend in the roux.

Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add more seasoning to taste.

The Serve with a side of sourdough bread, if desire.