Forgotten Minestrone

Source: Taste of Home Collector's Edition advertisement

Yields 8 servings

1 pound lean beef stew meat
6 cups water
1 (28 ounce) can tomatoes with liquid, cut up
1 beef bouillon cube
1 medium onion, chopped
2 tablespoons minced dried parsley
2 1/2 teaspoons salt (optional)
1 1/2 teaspoons ground thyme
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 medium zucchini, thinly sliced
1 (16 ounce) can garbanzo beans, drained
1 cup uncooked small elbow or shell macaroni
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

In a slow cooker, combine beef, water, tomatoes, bouillon, onion, parsley, salt (if desired), thyme and pepper. Cover and cook on LOW for 7 to 9 hours or until meat is tender.

Add zucchini, cabbage, beans and macaroni; cook on HIGH, covered, 30 to 45 minutes more, or until the vegetables are tender.

Sprinkle individual servings with Parmesan cheese if desired.

Diabetic Exchanges: One serving (without added salt and Parmesan cheese) equals 2 vegetable, 1 1/2 starch, 1 meat

246 calories, 453mg sodium, 33mg cholesterol, 30gm carbohydrate, 19gm protein, 6gm fat