Minestrone with Pork and Beans

Another soup from Yummy magazine that I'd love to try out for my little princess is this Minestrone with Pork and Beans. I'll try and cook this on Sunday, if I've recovered from our family get-together.

Minestrone with Pork and Beans
You don't need to stick to just the vegetables listed here. You can also add or substitute with others like mushrooms, bell pepper, zucchini, string beans and peas.
Serves 8-10
Prep time 10 minutes
Cooking time 20 minutes

3T extra virgin olive oil
1 onion, sliced
1 sprig parsley, chopped
1 to 2 stalks celery, diced
1 to 2 pieces carrots, diced
1 small head cabbage, cut into strips
1 head cauliflower, cut into florets
chicken broth or water
1 big can pork and beans
1T bacon fat
1 clove garlic
4-5 pieces fresh basil leaves or 1/2t dried basil
salt and pepper to taste
3/4 to 1c grated Parmesan cheese

1. In a large pot, heat the oil then sauté onions until translucent. Add parsley. Add the vegetables, one at a time, adding a little water or broth to cook them. When all the vegetables are in, pour in more broth to cover the veggies. Bring to a boil then lower heat and simmer the mixture.
2. Add pork and beans. Bring to a boil.
3. Mince together the bacon fat, garlic, clove and basil leaves. Stir into the cooked soup. Season to taste.
4. Ladle into bowls and served topped with grated cheese.

Sounds yummy, right??