QUICK PASTA FAGIOLI

Steps:

• Saute garlic in oil in 10" Skillet or Dutch oven with at least 2 Qt capacity, until garlic is lightly browned.
• Remove garlic and discard.
• (I prefer to use chopped garlic and leave it in after browning).
• Add chopped carrot, onion and celery; saute until they begin to color, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Add rosemary and tomato paste.
• Add beans with their liquid, chicken broth and water.
• Simmer uncovered, 2 minutes.
• Add pasta, stirring to distribute ingredients evenly.
• Cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 8 minutes or until pasta is al dente firm, but tender.
• (*With the 8 to 10 oz. of pasta, I cook for about 16 minutes).
• Remove pan from heat.
• Let stand, covered 10 minutes.
• Add salt, if necessary.
• Combine cheese and parsley in small serving bowl.
• Stir vinegar into soup, and ladle into warmed soup bowls.
• Serve with cheese-parsley mixture.
• *Note-I chop the vegetables in my blender, I prefer them more finely chopped and not too coarse.
• Plus it's a real time-saver!
• MICROWAVE DIRECTIONS: Reduce rosemary to 1/2 Tsp Combine garlic and oil in 4 Qt casserole.
• Microwave, uncovered, at full power for 2 minutes.
• Remove garlic, add carrot, onion and celery.
• Microwave, uncovered, for 3 minutes.
• Add rosemary, tomato paste, undrained beans, chicken broth and water.
• Cover.
• Microwave at full power for 14 to 16 minutes or until boiling.
• Stir in pasta.
• Cover.
• Microwave at half power for 12 minutes.
• Stir in vinegar.
• Add salt, if necessary.
• Let stand, covered, 10 minutes.
• Serve with the cheese and parsley mixture.