Autumnal minestrone with smoked bacon and butterbeans

Ingredients

• 200g smoked bacon
• 2 leeks washed and diced
• 2 sticks celery
• 2 carrots peeled and diced 
• 1 onion peeled and diced
• 2 cloves of garlic crushed and chopped
• Chopped thyme   
• 2 tbs olive oil
• 1 tin tomato
• 1.5lt chicken stock
• 1 tin chopped tomatoes
• 1 tin cooked butterbeans
• 100g spaghetti 
• Salt and pepper

Method

1. Pour the olive oil in a heavy based pot, sauté the bacon until crispy
2. Add the leeks, celery carrots and onions until soft
3. Add the garlic, sauté for a further 2 minutes and season with salt and pepper.
4. Add the tinned beans, tinned tomatoes and chicken stock, simmer for 10 minutes
5. Add the broken up raw spaghetti and cook for a further 30 minutes
6. Season with salt and pepper.

Chef's Tip

• Serve with lots of warm bread