Great Aunt Lillians Minestrone Soup Food

SPRING GREEN MINESTRONE SOUP

Steps:

• For the soup: In a small food processor, puree 1/4 cup of the butter beans until smooth. Set aside.
• Place a heavy saucepan or stockpot over medium-low heat and add the olive oil. Add the leeks and garlic and sweat until translucent and softened, about 6 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Add the stock, pasta, pearl onions, tomatoes and remaining butter beans. Bring to a simmer and simmer until the pasta is cooked, about 5 minutes. Check the seasoning. Add the haricot vert and cook for another 3 minutes. Stir in the bean puree, spinach, peas and parsley.
• For serving: Transfer to serving bowls and garnish with a small spoonful of pesto, some radishes, cilantro and scallions, a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of Parmesan.

CHEF JOHN'S MINESTRONE SOUP

Steps:

• Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in large stock pot over medium-high heat. Add pancetta; cook and stir until it begins to brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in onions and celery; cook and stir until onions start to turn translucent, about 3 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for another minute.
• Pour chicken broth, water, and plum tomatoes into the pancetta and onion mixture. Bring to a simmer.
• Stir cranberry beans, cabbage, garbanzo beans, red pepper flakes, Italian seasoning, and 2 teaspoons salt into broth mixture. Bring to a simmer and cook until cranberry beans are tender, adding more water as needed if the soup becomes too thick, about 45 minutes.
• Stir in Swiss chard and simmer until softened, about 15 minutes. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
• Stir in pasta and increase heat to medium-high and simmer until pasta is tender, about 15 minutes. Ladle into bowls and top with extra virgin olive oil, Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, and Italian parsley.

MINESTRONE - MARGARET FULTON'S

Steps:

• The day before required, put shin of beef on bone, water and beans into a large saucepan. Bring to boil, skim. Cover and simmer for 3 hours.
• Cool and chill.
• Next day saute garlic, onion, parsley, minced steak and pepper in oil until the onion is tender.
• Skim off fat from stock. Remove bone, cut off meat. Return meat to stock with the onion mixture, celery, cabbage, carrots, tomatoes and salt.
• Simmer, covered, 20 minutes.
• Add spagetti and peas and cook for about another 15 minutes.
• Check seasoning to taste.
• Serve and sprinkle with parmesan cheese.

LELLI'S MINESTRONE SOUP

Steps:

• Saute onion in the margarine,.
• Add the above ingredients and simmer for at least 1 1/2 hours.
• Process at least half of the soup in a blender, or use a stick blender.
• Add 1/3 cup uncooked macaroni,1/4 cup parmesan cheese and 1 cup half & half.
• Cook for at least 20 minute more and serve with crusty bread and additional parmesan cheese.
• You can also add a small can of garbanzo beans with the macaroni, cheese and milk.