Winter Minestrone And Garlic Bruschetta Food

WINTER MINESTRONE

Steps:

• In a large, heavy stockpot or Dutch oven, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, celery, pancetta, and garlic. Cook, stirring frequently, until the onion is translucent, about 10 minutes. Add the Swiss chard and potato. Season with salt and pepper and cook for 2 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes and rosemary sprigs. Bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer until the chard is wilted and the tomatoes are very soft, about 10 minutes.
• In a food processor or blender, combine 3/4 of the beans with 1/2 cup of broth. Blend until almost smooth. Add the pureed bean mixture, remaining broth, and Parmesan rind to the vegetable mixture. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until the potato pieces are tender, about 15 minutes. Stir in the remaining beans and the parsley. Simmer until the beans are heated through and the soup is thick, about 2 minutes. Discard the rosemary stems (the leaves will have fallen off) and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Ladle the soup into bowls and serve.

WINTER MINESTRONE

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a heavy large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, celery, pancetta, and garlic. Saute until the onion is translucent, about 10 minutes. Add the Swiss chard and potato; saute for 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes and rosemary sprig. Simmer until the chard is wilted and the tomatoes break down, about 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, blend 3/4 cup of the beans with 1/4 cup of the broth in a processor until almost smooth. Add the pureed bean mixture, remaining broth, and Parmesan cheese rind to the vegetable mixture. Simmer until the potato pieces are tender, stirring occasionally, about 15 minutes. Stir in the whole beans and parsley. Simmer until the beans are heated through and the soup is thick, about 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Discard Parmesan rind and rosemary sprig (the leaves will have fallen off of the stem.)
• Ladle the soup into bowls and serve.

ROASTED GARLIC BRUSCHETTA

Steps:

• Bruschetta:
• Grill or toast the bread under a broiler, on both sides, until golden. Brush with the oil and sprinkle with salt. Spread with the roasted garlic.
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• Roasted Garlic:
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Rub off any loose papery skin from the garlic, and trim about a 1/2 inch off the top of each head, to expose the cloves. Set the garlic snugly in an ovenproof baking dish just large enough to hold them. Drizzle with the oil and season with the salt and pepper. Cover with foil and cook for about 40 minutes. Remove foil and bake until the heads are soft and the tops golden brown, another 30 minutes. Allow garlic to cool.
• Serve the garlic whole for a rustic garnish, or break the heads apart and squeeze the garlic out of skins to eat the whole clove. To store the garlic, place it in a container and cover with olive oil. Store in the refrigerator for up to a week. Use skinned roasted garlic to season mashed potatoes, in salad dressings, to flavor and thicken sauces, or on sauteed or roasted vegetables.

WINTER BRUSCHETTA

Steps:

• Cut bread into rounds and brush with olive oil; broil until light golden colour.
• Combine next six ingedients in a bowl
• Drop by teaspoonful onto bread rounds and broil again until bubbly and cheese is golden brown.
• *Notes: If you're a garlic fan, add 1/2 teaspoon more for a big bang of flavour. Also, try changing the type of bread -- maybe a multi-grain or rye!