Hello! It’s that time of year again where the leaves start to change, cooler weather arrives, and we start to prepare for … SNOW! Being raised in Western NY, I’m no stranger to snowy weather. Last year, I was surprised that Maryland had barely any snow. Either way- here’s a delicious Minestrone Soup recipe for those cozy evenings at home. I’ve made this recipe twice in the past two weeks! It is easy, easy to make (once you chop your vegetables) and it is delicious. I will admit- my mother’s side of the family is Italian and we don’t always measure all of our seasonings according to the recipe… a little dash here, a sprinkle here… you get the picture. I did try to follow the recipe as closely as I could. Enjoy!
This recipe was taken from: https://cookieandkate.com/2018/classic-minestrone-soup-recipe/
YUM. YUM. YUM.
CLASSIC MINESTRONE SOUP
4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
2 medium carrots, peeled and chopped
2 medium ribs celery, chopped
1/4 cup of tomato paste (TIP: I froze the extra tomato paste for next time)
2 cups chopped seasonal vegetables (I used yellow squash and frozen green beans- you can use butternut squash, potatoes, peas… anything you want)
4 cloves garlic, pressed or minced (TIP: I use a small cheese grater to mince my garlic, it’s much easier)
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1 large can (28 oz) diced tomatoes with their liquid
4 cups (32 ounces) vegetable broth (I used chicken broth)
2 cups water
1 teaspoon sea salt
2 bay leaves
Pinch of red pepper flakes (I used a couple of good shakes in mine to give it a little kick)
Freshly ground black pepper
1 cup small pasta or orcchiette (I used elbow macaroni)
1 can (15 oz) cannellini beans, rinsed and drained, or 1 1/2 cups cooked beans (Rinsing the beans is important to remove excess sodium. One time I made it with the beans, one time I made it without- your preference)
2 cups baby spinach, chopped kale, or chopped collard greens
2 teaspoons lemon juice
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese for garnishing
DIRECTIONS
Warm 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large Dutch oven or stockpot over medium heat
Add ONION, CARROT, CELERY, TOMATO PASTE, and a pinch of SALT. Cook, stirring often, until the vegetables have softened and onions are turning translucent (7 to 10 MINUTES)
Add SEASONAL VEGETABLES, GARLIC, OREGANO, and THYME. Cook until fragrant, about two minutes
Pour in DICED TOMATOES and their JUICES, BROTH, and WATER. Add SALT, BAY LEAVES, RED PEPPER FLAKES. Season generously with GROUND BLACK PEPPER
Raise heat to MEDIUM HIGH and bring mixture to a boil, then partially cover the pot with the lid, leaving about a 1” gap for steam to escape. REDUCE HEAT as necessary to maintain a GENTLE SIMMER
Cook for 15 MINUTES, then remove lid and add PASTA, BEANS, and GREENS. Continue simmering, uncovered, for 20 MINUTES until the pasta is al dente and greens are tender
Remove pot from heat and remove bay leaves. Stir in LEMON JUICE and remaining OLIVE OIL. Taste and season.
Serve HOT with PARMESAN garnish
I tasted the soup throughout the cooking process adding salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, etc. where I thought I needed it. I hope you enjoy- this makes enough for my husband and I to have soup for the week! The first time we froze half of it… but took it out of the freezer two days later because it was so good!
Dr. ZK