"zuppa" with mouth watering "Antipasti"....

MINESTRONE SOUP
Serves 5
½ cup baked beans
2 mushrooms sliced very finely
¼ cup finely chopped carrots
1 tbsp finely chopped French beans
¼ cup finely chopped potatoes
2 large tomatoes chopped
1 tbsp butter
2 tbsp chopped onions
5 cups water
Salt & pepper to taste
Heat 1 tbsp butter and fry onions for 1 minute till soft.
Add beans, mushrooms, carrots, French beans and potatoes. Stir for 2 to 3 minutes.
Add the tomatoes and water. Add pepper.Boil.Simmer for about 15-20 minutes, mashing occasionally, till well blended. Check salt.
Serve hot with cheese skewers........

CHEESE SKEWERS
Serves 5
3 slices bread
3 tbsp any cooking oil or olive oil
100 gm cheese (preferably mozzarella) – cut into ¼” thick 1” squares
2 tomatoes each cut into 8 pieces and deeded
A few basil or mint leaves dipped in chilled water and refrigerated
A few toothpicks, salt to taste
TO SPRINKLE
2 tbsp vinegar
½ tsp oregano
Trim the crusts from the bread. Brush the slice with oil on both sides. Cut each slice into four squares, about the size of the cheese. Arrange on a baking tray and bake for 3-5 minutes until the squares are pale golden.
Remove bread.
Make 10 stacks each starting with a square of bread, then thin slice of cheese, a mint leaf, tomato and a basil leaf .Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Push the wooden toothpick through each stack and place on greased baking tray.
Drizzle with remaining oil and bake for 5 minutes until cheese just begins to melt.
Garnish with a few drops of vinegar mixed with oregano.