Tuscan Pasta And Beans Food

PASTA AND BEANS | PASTA E FAGIOLI RECIPE

Steps:

• Cook the beans. Dice carrot and celery, then chop the onion and set aside
• In a large soup pot, sauté over medium heat in 6 tablespoons of the extra virgin olive oil, the garlic cloves, the sprig of rosemary and the sage leaves
• When the garlic is golden (2/3 minutes), remove it from the soup pot; remove the sage and rosemary as well. Add the chopped onion, carrot and celery you set aside. Cook for about 5 minutes on medium heat, stirring often. Add the cooked beans, mix and let them flavor
• Add the tomato passata and stir. Then Pour in the hot broth and add the bay leaves. Mix and cook over medium heat covered with a lid for about 20 minutes
• Transfer 3 or 4 ladles of the soup (avoiding the bay leaves) to a blender. Blend until completely smooth. Pour the blended mixture in a bowl and set aside
• Add pasta to the simmering soup. Continue cooking until the pasta is cooked al dente
• Add the blended mixture, season with salt if necessary and mix. Serve pasta and beans with a sprinkling of freshly ground black pepper and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil

PASTA E FAGIOLI (ITALIAN PASTA AND BEANS)

Steps:

• In a large Dutch oven or soup pot over medium heat, warm 3 tablespoons of the olive oil until shimmering. Add the chopped onion, carrot, celery, 1/2 teaspoon of the salt, and about 10 twists of black pepper. Cook, stirring often, until the vegetables have softened and the onions are turning translucent, about 6 to 10 minutes.
• Add the garlic and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the tomatoes, stir, and cook until the tomatoes are bubbling all over. Add the broth, water, bay leaves, oregano, and red pepper flakes.
• Raise the heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a simmer. Cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, and reducing the heat as necessary to maintain a gentle simmer.
• Use a heat-safe measuring cup to transfer about 1 1/2 cups of the soup (avoiding the bay leaves) to a blender. Add about 3/4 cup of the drained beans. Securely fasten the lid and blend until completely smooth, being careful to avoid hot steam escaping from the lid. Pour the blended mixture back into the soup.
• Add the remaining beans, pasta, kale and parsley to the simmering soup. Continue cooking, stirring often to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pot, for about 20 minutes, or until the pasta and greens are pleasantly tender.
• Remove the pot from the heat, then remove and discard the bay leaves. Stir in the lemon juice, the remaining tablespoon of olive oil, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt. Taste and season with more salt (I usually add another 1/4 teaspoon) and pepper until the flavors really sing. Garnish bowls of soup as desired, and serve.
• Leftovers taste even better the next day. Allow leftover soup to cool to room temperature, then cover and refrigerate for up to 5 days. Or, freeze leftover soup in individual portions and defrost as necessary.

TUSCAN PASTA WITH WHITE BEANS

Steps:

• Cook pasta as directed on package, omitting salt.
• Meanwhile, heat 1 Tbsp. oil in large saucepan on medium heat. Add eggplant; cook 5 min., stirring frequently. Add mushrooms, onions and remaining oil; cook 5 min. or until vegetables are tender, stirring frequently. Add spinach; cook and stir 2 min. or just until wilted.
• Drain pasta. Add to mushroom mixture along with the pasta sauce and beans; mix lightly. Cook 10 min. or until heated through, stirring frequently. Remove from heat.
• Top with cheese.

ITALIAN PASTA AND BEANS (PASTA FAGGIOLI)

Steps:

• Cook pasta as box instructs, in boiling salted water.
• While pasta is cooking, heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat until hot.
• Add onion, carrot and celery and cook for 15 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally.
• Add garlic and cook one minute more.
• Add beans, tomatoes, salt, pepper, and water and heat to boiling over high heat.
• Reduce heat to low-med heat and simmer, uncovered for 20 minutes.
• Stir in drained pasta, cheese and parsley and cook until heated through.