Toasted Spaghetti Minestra With Tuscan Kale Food

TUSCAN MINESTRONE WITH ORZO PASTA

Steps:

• If using dried beans, soak overnight then rinse and cover in water in a deep pan. Add salt. Bring water to a boil and simmer for about 45 minutes until still a bit firm but not too soft. Drain but save the bean cooking water.
• Peel the onion and cut into small pieces. Wash and chop the carrots and celery into pieces. Peel the potatoes and cut into cubes. Clean and slice the leeks. Wash and chop the Savoy cabbage and kale. Remove the bottom part of the white stems of the Swiss chard and wash and chop the leaves. Peel and cube the squash. If using fresh tomatoes blanch them in boiling water then peel and chop.
• Fry the carrots, onions and celery in extra virgin olive oil until the onions start to brown slightly. (don't let them burn). Add the tomato paste and tomato passata/or chopped fresh tomatoes. Stir and cook for 5 minutes.
• Add all the other veggies and sauté together for a couple of minutes. Add the bean cooking water or stock. If the bean cooking water isn't enough add more water or some vegetable stock. You need about 1 litre of liquid in total. Cover and cook for about 50 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste. Add more stock or water as required.
• Finally add the beans and the pasta. If using orzo (risoni) it doesn't take very long to cook. Larger pasta types like ditalini will need more time! And maybe more liquid!
• Serve with a dash of extra virgin olive oil and grated Parmigiano-Reggiano or vegetarian cheese.

TUSCAN FETTUNTA AND LE BRUSCHETTE: TUSCAN TOASTED BREAD AND BRUSCHETTA

Steps:

• For the Tuscan fettunta: Rub each slice of bread with 1/2 a garlic clove. Drizzle the bread with olive oil and sprinkle with salt.
• For the cannellini bruschetta: Rub a garlic clove over each slice of bread. Mash half the beans and generously spread the cannellini beans on each slice of bread. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt.
• For the avocado bruschetta: Rub each slice of bread with 1/2 a garlic clove. Divide and spread the avocado on each slice of bread. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt.

DRUNKEN SPAGHETTI WITH BLACK KALE

Steps:

• Pour the whole bottle of wine into a pasta pot and add about the same amount of water. Salt the liquid and bring to a boil over medium heat. Add the pasta and cook until just shy of al dente. Heads up: Remove and reserve 1 cup of cooking water just before draining.
• Meanwhile, heat a deep skillet over medium to medium-high heat with the extra-virgin olive oil. Add the pancetta and cook until crisp, 2 to 3 minutes, then add the garlic and swirl it around for 2 minutes more. Add the kale, let it wilt and then season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg, to taste. Add the reserved cooking liquid, drained pasta and the grated cheese. Toss vigorously for at least a full minute, then serve in shallow bowls. Pass the Pecorino to shave over the pasta at the table.

TUSCAN KALE SALAD WITH ANCHOVY DRESSING

Steps:

• For the Tuscan kale salad: Bring a medium pot of water to a boil over medium-high heat. Turn off the heat. Carefully submerge the kale in the hot water for 1 minute. Drain in a colander and immediately rinse with cold water to halt the cooking process. (The kale should be just slightly wilted and tenderized.) Remove the kale to a towel-lined baking sheet to drain excess water.
• In a small bowl, combine the raisins, white wine vinegar and 1/4 cup hot water. Rehydrate the raisins for at least 15 minutes, then drain when ready to serve.
• For the anchovy dressing: Into a blender add the white wine vinegar, pecorino, shallots honey and anchovies. Blend on high until smooth. With the motor running, slowly pour in the olive oil. Pour the dressing over the salad at least 15 minutes before serving to help further tenderize the kale.
• When ready to serve, add the toasted hazelnuts and plumped golden raisins and garnish with the shaved pecorino.

TUSCAN KALE AND SQUASH MINESTRA

Steps:

• In a large pot, heat 2 tablespoons of the oil and add the onion; cover and let sweat, over moderate heat, stirring often, until softened, 4 minutes.
• Add squash, cover, let cook, stirring occasionally, until the squash is lightly browned in spots (it will not be tender), 5 minutes.
• Stir in the garlic and rosemary and cook 1 minute; add kale and cook, stirring, until it wilts, 5 minutes.
• Pour in the stock, cover and simmer until kale and squash are tender, 8 minutes; season with salt and pepper.
• In the meantime, cook pasta in salted water, according to package directions, until al dente; drain.
• Add pasta and navy beans to the soup and simmer until the soup thickens slightly, about 5 minutes; stir in the remaining olive oil.
• Serve in deep bowls, garnished with shaved cheese, and with garlic toasts.
• NOTE: Will keep in the refrigerator for 3 days. The next day the soup will be thicker and some prefer it this way.