I have an old Family Healthy Cooking book by Better Homes and Garden that I think was the first cookbook I ever bought (it was in the bargain bin at Borders I think) and in that cookbook there is a recipe for Minestrone that is really more a vegetable soup recipe. This soup is much like that Minestrone recipe a vegetable soup that is beholden to the chef’s ability to add a bit oomph. It is a good basic recipe. That said to earn the moniker “fat burning” you should not change too much of the basics.
However if fat burning isn’t super important can be terrific with a few spices and/or added protein (I added garbanzo beans and some shredded chicken). Served it with grilled cheese sandwiches and it made a good lazy Sunday meal.
I will say that I halved the listed recipe and it came out to about 4 quarts of soup: that’s a lot. Also I added the beans and chicken mostly because I needed to use them or lose them. I think that this is the type of recipe that can easily take on other ingredients that you might have hanging around: summer squash, spinach, fresh tomatoes, kidney bean and even some pasta so I also like it as an odds and ends recipe.
