No Boy's Name is Worthy of Grandma Sara's Minestrone Soup

I usually name the recipes I put on this blog after a boy I dated, BUT like the title refers to no boy I ever dated can compare with my Grandma Sara. She is one of my favorite people EVER. I really miss her. I originally got this recipe from her, but I have changed it some over the years so I guess it is mine now. In fact I made it for her one time and she said, "This is good. Where did you get the recipe?" Surprised, I said, "From you, Grandma." I even have a secret ingredient I have never told Julie about- GASP! I may have just jeopardized the friendship by keeping this secret- but I might reveal the secret ingredient by the end of this post. I haven't decided yet....:) Here it is oh and by the way- it feeds an army. I haven't found a good way to divide it- so make it either for a big group of people or be prepared to have it as leftovers for about a week!
1 TBS. olive oil

1 lb italian sausage

2 onions

2 carrots

2 celery stalks

(All veggies are chopped)

1 quart water

2 beef bouillon

1 TBS parsley

3/4 tsp oregano

1/2 tsp basil

3/4 tsp garlic salt

(All herbs dried- although I'm sure you could use fresh- just use more.)

2 qt. tomatoes- I think my Grandma had it written this way because she used tomatoes she had canned, but I would guess that equals about 4 cans of diced tomatoes.

1 TBS. sugar

shake of tabasco

1 cup macaroni

3 cans of beans- this is the part where you can be creative or just use whatever is in your cupboard. You can use a variety of beans- green, garbanzo, white, kidney. My favorites are kidney, white and green- although I usually use the frozen kind of green beans. You can also put other veggies in this if you want-I have put asparagus in it too.

Brown sausage in olive oil then add veggies and saute until transparent. Add water and let simmer for 5 minutes. Add the rest of the ingredients except the pasta and beans. Simmer for 4 hours- if you have that much time. I have made it with just 30 minutes of simmering, but FYI it is much better is you give it time- much like a marriage- anyway- then add beans and pasta and simmer for another 30 minutes. Top with parmesan cheese.

As for the secret ingredient- I am torn, I mean a sorceress isn't a sorceress for nothing. She has to have a few tricks up her sleeve. It just doesn't feel right- right now. I may need a little coaxing- like something chocolate "coaxed!"