Ribollita - Day old Bread Soup

Use up your day old bread with this hearty soup.  This soup can feed a crowd and is very cheap to make.  It's a real stick to your ribs type of soup without having to add in meat or lots of expensive ingredients.

credit: http://www.flickr.com/x/t/0091009/photos/simpleprovisions/9352722799/

Ingredients: 

• 3-4 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, chopped (I don't even peel these, just wash them)
• 2 ribs celery, chopped
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 (14.5 oz) cans of white beans (whatever you have on hand)
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups crushed tomatoes
• 3 cups stale bread
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• small handful of torn basil for garnish (optional)

1. Saute garlic, onion, carrots, celery and bay in large stock pot with a little olive oil.
2. Add in beans, chicken broth and tomatoes.  Cover and brink to a simmer.
3. Remove lid and lower heat.  Add in stale bread and stir until bread is all moist and mixed into the soup.  The bread will make the soup thick and stew like.  Once the bread is evenly distributed the soup is done.
4. Serve with grated cheese for garnish.

If your soup becomes too thick from the bread simply add more water or chicken broth.

Lucy~