Italian Vegetable & Gnocchi Soup

I have always have been a big fan of soups.  Here is one that looks quite tasty from my recipe-a-day calendar.

Ingredients:

• 1 yellow onion
• 4 garlic cloves
• 1/2 cup chopped basil, plus additional for serving
• 1 can chickpeas
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 pinches red pepper flakes
• 1 quart vegetable broth
• 1 can diced fire roasted tomatoes (28-ounce)
• 1 can diced fire roasted tomatoes (15-ounce)
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• Fresh ground pepper
• 1 1/2 cups cut green beans (fresh or frozen)
• 1 pound gnocchi
• 4 - 6 cups spinach leaves
• Parmesan cheese, for serving

Directions:

• Chop onion and mince the garlic.
• Thinly slice reserve basil for garnish.
• Drain and rinse the chickpeas.
• In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium high heat.
• Saute onion until translucent (about 5 minutes).
• Stir in the garlic and chopped basil for 1 minute.
• Add the chickpeas, red pepper flakes.broth , tomatoes, and their juices, kosher salt, and several grinds of pepper.
• Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer.
• Add the green beans, then simmer for 15 minutes.
• Add gnocchi and cook until tender (5 minutes).
• Turn off heat and stir in spinach until wilted (1 minute).
• Serve topped with parmesan and basil.
• Allow to cool slightly before diving in.