Ratatouille Soup

Hi!
This week really sneaked up on me (although I knew it was coming). I am starting to get fresh veggies out of the garden and thought I'd like a new recipe to use with some of it. This sounded good to me. Hope it might work for you. --Jean

Ratatouille Soup
(This is a Rachael Ray Recipe. She remarked about it, "If you love Remy the chef in Ratatouille, then you're bound to love this soup that shares the same name.")

Makes 6 healthy, hearty servings

3 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)
1 medium onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, seeded and diced
1 red bell pepper, seeded and diced
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1 medium eggplant, peeled and diced
2 small zucchini, diced
salt and pepper
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 can diced tomatoes (28 ounces)
6 cups chicken stock
1/2 pound small cut whole grain pasta
a handful of flat leaf parsley, finely chopped
a few leaves fresh basil, torn or shredded

Preparation
Heat a deep pot over medium-high heat with three turns of the pan of EVOO, about three tablespoons. Add the onion, peppers, garlic, eggplant and zucchini. Season the vegetables with salt, pepper and thyme. Cook until softened, about 7-8 minutes.

Add the tomatoes and chicken stock, bring the soup to a boil and then turn it down to a simmer. Stir in the pasta and cook to al dente, with a bite to it. Stir in parsley and basil, adjust salt and pepper and serve.