Tuscan Beans Fagioli Alla Toscana Food

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.

TUSCAN BEANS - {FAGIOLI ALLA TOSCANA} RECIPE

Steps:

• Cover beans with water and soak overnight. Next day, drain beans, then place in a large saucepan with cold, lightly salted water to cover. Add celery, carrot, bay leaf and onion halves stuck with cloves. Bring to a boil, then simmer until beans are tender, about 30 to 40 minutes. Discard vegetables and let beans cool in their cooking liquid. In a sauté pan over medium heat, gently heat olive oil, add garlic and half the herbs and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes, being careful not to brown garlic. With a slotted spoon, add beans and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Add about 1 1/2 cups of their cooking liquid. Stir in 1/2 of Pecorino Romano cheese and remaining herbs. Boil briskly for about 10 minutes until liquid reduces slightly to form a "sauce." If beans are tender before sauce thickens, remove them with a slotted spoon and continue boiling down liquid, then pour over beans. Add salt and pepper, if needed, to taste and transfer to a serving platter. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. This recipe yields 6 servings.