Vegetarian Minestrone (adapted from Valerie Bertinelli)

1.5 tablespoons olive oil
1 chopped yellow onion
3/4 cup chopped carrot
1/4 cup chopped celery
3 garlic cloves, chopped
1 teaspoons gray salt
1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
3 cups vegetable broth
2 cups water
1 15.5-ounce can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
1 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes, drained
1 1/2 cups chopped zucchini
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
3 cups chopped collard greens (stems removed)
2 cups cooked orzo
1/2 cup shredded fresh parmesan cheese

Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the onion, carrot, celery, garlic, salt, rosemary, black pepper and crushed red pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are just tender, 8 to 10 minutes.

Stir in the broth, 2 cups water, the cannellini beans, tomatoes, zucchini and vinegar. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat; reduce the heat to medium low and simmer until the zucchini is just tender, about 10 minutes. Stir in the collard greens and simmer until the greens are tender, about 2 minutes. Stir in the orzo. Season with salt. Top with the shredded parmesan.

White Bean Dip with Pita Chips (adapted from Giada De Laurentiis)

1 (15-ounce) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
2 cloves garlic
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/3 cup olive oil, plus 4 tablespoons
1/4 cup (loosely packed) fresh Italian parsley leaves
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper
6 pitas
1 teaspoon dried oregano

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Place the beans, garlic, lemon juice, 1/3 cup olive oil, and parsley in the work bowl of a food processor. Pulse until the mixture is coarsely chopped. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Transfer the bean puree to a small bowl.

Cut each pita in half and then into 8 wedges. Arrange the pita wedges on a large baking sheet. Pour the remaining oil over the pitas. Toss and spread out the wedges evenly. Sprinkle with the oregano, salt, and pepper. Bake for 8 to 12 minutes, or until toasted and golden in color.

Serve the pita toasts warm or at room temperature alongside the bean puree.