Tuscan Bean And Pasta Soup Pasta E Fagioli Food

PASTA E FAGIOLI SOUP

Steps:

• In a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch Oven, combine the beans, bay leaves and 2 quarts (8 cups) of water. Bring to a boil, over medium high heat, then lower the heat to a simmer and cook until the beans are tender, about 1 hour.
• Using a colander set over a bowl, drain the beans, collecting the broth into the bowl. Add chicken stock to complete 6 cups of liquid. Reserve the broth and the beans.
• Wipe down the pot and bring it back to the stove, over medium heat. Heat the olive oil and sauté the pancetta until golden brown. Remove and place in a paper towel-lined plate to soak up the excess grease. Reserve.
• Add the onion, leek, carrot and celery, sautéing until softened, about 5 minutes. Then, stir in the minced garlic and cook for a minute or two, or until fragrant.
• Stir in the thyme leaves and cook for about a minute.
• Add the pancetta back into the pot. Then, add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, parmesan rind, reserved broth, salt and pepper.
• Cover, lower the heat to medium-low and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes.
• In the meantime, cook the pasta separately, according to package instructions.
• Add reserved beans and cooked pasta to the soup.
• Stir in the grated parmesan cheese. Taste for seasoning and adjust salt and pepper.
• Stir in the sliced basil, reserving some for garnishing.
• Garnish with basil and fresh thyme. Serve immediately.

PASTA AND BEANS: PASTA E FAGIOLI

Steps:

• Heat a deep pot over medium high heat and add oil and pancetta. Brown the pancetta bits lightly, and add herb stems, bay leaf, chopped vegetables, and garlic. Season vegetables with salt and pepper. Add beans, tomato sauce, water, and stock to pot and raise heat to high. Bring soup to a rapid boil and add pasta. Reduce heat to medium and cook soup, stirring occasionally, 6 to 8 minutes or until pasta is cooked al dente. Rosemary and thyme leaves will separate from stems as soup cooks. Remove herb stems and bay leaf from soup and place pot on table on a trivet. Let soup rest and begin to cool for a few minutes. Ladle soup into bowls and top with lots of grated cheese. Pass crusty bread for bowl mopping.

TUSCAN BEAN AND PASTA SOUP (PASTA E FAGIOLI)

Steps:

• Cut the pancetta into small cubes and cook it in the olive oil in a large pot until just beginning to brown. Add the onion, the carrot, and the celery. Cook for a few minutes and add the garlic and rosemary. Stir in the minced pepperoncino at this point, if you like some spice.
• When the vegetables are soft and lightly browned, crush the tomatoes in a food processor and add them to the pot with their juices. Simmer for a few minutes and add the drained cooked beans. Allow to cook for 10 minutes, before adding the hot stock and the seasoning. When it comes to a boil, stir in the pasta.
• Continue cooking, squashing some of the beans against the side of the pot (so that they help thicken it the stock), until the pasta is fully cooked. Just before turning the heat off, swirl in 1 TBSP. of butter and the grated cheese.
• Let the soup sit for five minutes. Taste and adjust the seasoning. The more it sits, the past absorbs more liquid and the soup thickness. If necessary, stir in some hot water or stock to thin it out. Serve with a drizzle of your best olive oil.

PASTA FAGIOLI

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Cook celery, onion, garlic, parsley, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, and salt in the hot oil until onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in chicken broth, tomatoes and tomato sauce, and simmer on low for 15 to 20 minutes.
• Add pasta and cook 10 minutes, until pasta is tender.
• Add undrained beans and mix well. Heat through. Serve with grated Parmesan cheese sprinkled on top.