Hearty and Healthy 3 Bean Minestrone

Photo: Hearty and Healthy 3 Bean Minestrone

TOTAL TIME: 2 hr
Prep: 20 min
Inactive Prep: 1 hr
Cook: 40 min
 
YIELD: 4 servings
LEVEL: Intermediate

ingredients

  • 8 cups Parmigiano and Herb-Fortified Stock, recipe follows
  • 4 Roasted Tomatoes, chopped, recipe follows
    • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus some for drizzling
    • 1 1/8-inch-thick slice prosciutto di Parma, about 1/4 pound, optional
    • 1 onion, chopped
    • 2 to 3 ribs celery, finely chopped
    • 2 carrots, peeled and finely chopped
    • 4 cloves roasted garlic (from roasted tomato recipe), recipe follows
    • 1 red chile pepper, finely chopped or thinly sliced (recommended: Fresno or Holland)
    • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
    • Parmigiano and Herb Fortified Stock
    • 1 large rind trimmed from a hunk of Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese or a few small pieces rind perhaps saved-up
    • Herb bundle of several sprigs each fresh thyme, parsley and rosemary, tied
    • 1 onion, peeled and quartered
    • 2 ribs celery, sliced on angle
    • 2 carrots, sliced on angle
    • Peeled rind of 1 lemon
    • 2 fresh bay leaves
    • 4 cups chicken stock
    • 12 cups (3 quarts) water
    • Roasted Tomatoes
    • 24 ripe organic vine tomatoes or large plum tomatoes
    • Several cloves garlic, crushed
    • Extra-virgin olive oil, for liberal drizzling
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    Directions

    Set aside or prepare the stock and roasted tomatoes.

    Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium to medium-high heat, add extra-virgin olive oil, a couple of turns of the pan. Add the prosciutto and stir a couple of minutes. Add the chopped onions, celery, carrots, garlic, and chile pepper, season with salt, and pepper. If you are using potatoes, add them here. If you are using pasta, heat a second medium pot of water to a boil for the pasta and cook according to package directions for al dente. Cool the pasta and drizzle with a touch of extra-virgin olive oil. Cover and store separately from the soup. Cover the pan and sweat the vegetables 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the cannellini beans, garbanzo beans, prepared stock and prepared tomatoes. Bring the soup to a boil and add the green beans. Bring the soup back to a bubble, then turn off the heat and cool the soup. Store the soup in the refrigerator for a make-ahead meal.

    To reheat the soup: Place the soup over medium-high heat. Crisp up the bread in a warm oven. When the soup comes to a boil, stir in the cooked pasta, escarole, and a little lemon zest. Turn off the heat when pasta is warmed through. Serve the soup in shallow bowls and top with cheese, a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil, and crusty bread alongside for mopping.

    SERVINGS: 4 (as main)
    Calories: 531
    Total Fat: 12 grams
    Saturated Fat: 2 grams
    Protein: 23 grams
    Total carbohydrates: 87 grams
    Sugar: 12 grams
    Fiber: 18 grams
    Cholesterol: 5 milligrams
    Sodium: 1,092 milligrams

    For the stock:
    Place the cheese rind, herb bundle, onion, celery, carrots, lemon rind, bay leaves, chicken stock, and water into a pot and bring to a bubble, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Simmer at least 1 hour, and then remove the rind, herb bundle, and vegetables with a slotted spoon or strainer.
    For the tomatoes:
    Heat the oven to 500 degrees F.

    Arrange the tomatoes on a baking sheet or baking sheets in a single layer. Scatter the garlic among the tomatoes, dress with extra-virgin olive oil to coat and season with salt and pepper. Roast the tomatoes until they burst and skins split and begin to char, about 30 minutes. Cool the tomatoes until cool enough to handle and peel. Place the tomatoes in a bowl.

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    5

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    • on May 29, 2011

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      Very yummy soup......I made alterations -I know, people hate reviews based on an altered recipe, but this was simply due to lack of prep time. So, if anything, skipping the short cuts (regular garlic, 14oz can chopped roasted tomatoes, low sodium chicken stock with 2 tsp dried Italian herbs should result in an even better product. Used potatoes rather than pasta. Will make many times in the future!

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