Melba's Swap Shop: Make easy minestrone

FORGOTTEN MINESTRONE

1 pound lean beef stew meat

6 cups water

1 can (28 ounces) tomatoes, undrained, coarsely chopped

1 beef bouillon cube

1 medium onion, chopped

2 tablespoons minced dried parsley

11/2 teaspoons salt, approximately

11/2 teaspoons ground thyme

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1 medium zucchini, thinly sliced

2 cups finely chopped cabbage

1 can (16 ounces) garbanzo beans, drained

1 cup uncooked small elbow or shell macaroni

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

• In slow cooker, combine beef, water, tomatoes, bouillon cube, onion, parsley, salt, thyme and pepper. Cover and cook on low 7 to 9 hours or until meat is tender. Add zucchini, cabbage, beans and macaroni. Cover and cook on high 30 to 45 minutes more or until vegetables are tender. Sprinkle individual servings with Parmesan cheese. Makes 8 servings.

DAVE FARRINGTON, Midwest City

DEAR MELBA: I'm trying to get information on craft shows that will be held throughout the year. I'm especially interested in the smaller ones held at schools or churches, where the booth rent is lower.

I would really appreciate your help, so I can plan my year.

PAT DACUS, Oklahoma City

DEAR MELBA: In the late 1960s, my mom made a Big Ben Cake. I don't recall anything about it except it was a layer cake. When she died in 1972, we were not able to locate the recipe. Please ask readers if anyone remembers this recipe and will share.