Cheaters Pappa al Pomodoro ( aka Poor Students )

1 each : large stalk of celery, leek, yelllow sweet bell pepper,
onion ( I prefer Red ) & carrot. 8 slices of day old Italian Bread 3/4 to 1 inch thick, 1 28 - 32 oz tin diced tomatoes, ( low sodium ) 32 oz low sodium vegetable broth ( or for Non-vegetarian...beef stock ) 16oz filtred water and the following seasonings: 2 tbsp each of: olive oil, minced garlic, dried basil, oregano & parsley. 1 tsp of sea salt & 2 tbsp of fresh ground black pepper. I use semi-hard Goat Mozza Cheese...2 oz grated will just cover top of @ of the 6 servings nicely.

Make 6 - 8oz servings. Best left to mature on very low simmer for additional 15 - 30 minutes. ( Be sure to Stir!! )

Wash & dice finely all veg...Bring a 3 - 4 qt saucepan ( dutch oven even nicer, as they have a greater diameter ) to med heat...dry...then add the olive oil. When oil has started to ripple ( like a quiet pond with a small stone dropped in ) toss in all diced veg. ( approx 1 min each stage ) Please do not allow onions to brown! After vegetables have been in the heat 3 min mix in all seasonings. Let run on medium heat for 5 min & then add in the diced tomatoes & 100% of the juice..5 min. At this point ....the 15 minute mark, pour in both your, low sodium veg stock & the 16 oz of filtred water. Bring briefly to a boil by raising the heat to high for max 2 min...reduce to a simmer for the last 13 minutes. During the final 3 minutes stir in the cubed Italian bread sices. ( I toast mine off 1st...firmer texture ) Ladle into worm bowls & top with some of the grated Goat cheese. You're Done!!

Est. cost per serving = $ 1.66


Number of Servings: 6

Recipe submitted by SparkPeople user SMOKINGRILLCAFE.