Don't throw away those vegetable scraps - they'll make a dandy broth!

In light of our current circumstances relating to food shopping and food preparation, I'm returning to a more economical method of using ingredients - especially since there is no guarantee the products we'll need will be in on the store's shelves. 
Therefore, I've decided it time to resume recycling vegetable scraps to create broth for a multitude of recipes. 

Years ago, I posted a recipe for Potato Peel Broth, which makes a pretty tasty soup base! This time around I'm without the potatoes, but the celery, carrots, onions, peppers and garlic I do have will work together just as nicely to create another tasty soup. 

The soup I made with the following broth was Pasta e Fagioli. Both recipes follow.

Pasta e Fagioli made with my homemade vegetable broth.

Homemade Vegetable Broth:

Step 1: Place a variety of on-hand vegetable scraps in a large pot. Cover with water; season with salt, pepper, bay leaves. Bring to a boil; reduce heat, cover and simmer for about an hour. Add more water, if necessary.

Step 2: Strain solids from liquid; discard solids. 

Step 3: Allow broth to cool a bit. Cover container and refrigerate until ready to use.

Pasta e Fagioli
Serves 5-6
Ingredients:
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1/2 cup each of diced onions, bell peppers, celery, carrots
6 cups homemade vegetable broth
1-15 oz can diced tomatoes
2 Tbsp. tomato paste
1-15 oz can Northern beans, undrained
1/4 cup (more-or-less) small pasta - I used orzo
1 tsp. Italian seasoning blend (or use a combination of dried oregano, dried basil)
salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

In a large pot, heat olive oil on medium heat. Add all of the diced vegetables and saute until softened, about 5 minutes.

Add vegetable broth, diced tomatoes with its juice, and tomato paste. Stir to blend in the paste. Add seasonings.

Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium. Add pasta and stir. Cook for about 8 minutes,stirring now and then, making sure pasta doesn't stick to the bottom of the pot.

When the pasta is tender, add undrained beans. Cook an additional 5 minutes.

Serve with a sprinkling of shredded Parmesan cheese.