Zucchini Soup

Brown:
4-5 slices bacon, cut up
1 med onion
2 gloves garlic
1 carrot cut
2 celery w/leaves
Add:
4 1/2 cups water
1 1/2 tbsp condensed beef base
1 1/2 tsp salt (easy on the salt! with the bacon it's plenty salty)
1/4 tsp pepper
1 tsp accent
3-4 med zucchini cut

Cover and cook 2 hours

Penne Pasta & Veggies

This is a vegetarian meal but i added chicken!

1 bag penne pasta
2 or 3 cloves of garlic, minced (I buy the minced garlic in the jar - so easy)
1/2 onion, diced
1 red bell pepper, sliced
1 yellow squash, sliced
1 zucchini, sliced
1 bunch of broccoli
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
salt and pepper

Cook pasta according to directions on package. Add broccoli to pasta 2 minutes before pasta is done. Drain water but leave pasta and broccoli in pot to keep warm. Meanwhile, in saucepan, pour 2 or 3 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil - Enough to cover bottom of pan. Add onions and garlic. Heat until slightly brown. Add all veggies (except broccoli of course). Heat on medium for 5 minutes until veggies are cooked. Season with salt and pepper. Add veggies to pasta pot and stir. Mix in parmesan cheese. Stir until melted. Can add more cheese if desired.