Simple and tasty and perfect for the in-between weather, this recipe began as a throw together fridge and pantry dinner, that turned out deliciously and has stuck around. I’m not sure how ‘Tuscan’ it really is… but it’s quick to pull together and most of the ingredients are staples. A crowd-pleaser, full of flavour and even better the next day. But nobody said anything about sharing the leftovers...

I’ve had this recipe for so long I can’t remember where it came from. I do remember the first time I made it though – I was sceptical, as I have never been a huge fan of soups, so I am always just a little bit more in love with the Italians for creating this fake soup! Minestrone, in it’s chunkiness, is the exception to my household’s ‘no soup for you’ rule. Filled with veg and mucho flavour, it’s taken on somewhat of a cult status! And I personally take it as a challenge to find the cutest soup pasta shapes to keep in the cupboard especially for Minestrone!