Discover a flavorful adventure with our ultimate guide to crafting a hearty minestrone soup, a classic Italian dish brimming with wholesome ingredients and bursting with rich flavors. From selecting the freshest vegetables to incorporating the secrets of a perfectly seasoned broth, this article will lead you on a culinary journey towards creating an exceptional minestrone that will warm your heart and delight your taste buds. Unearth the secrets of incorporating a parmesan rind, a culinary treasure that adds an umami depth and richness to the soup, elevating it from ordinary to extraordinary.
Let's cook with our recipes!
WINTER MINESTRONE
Provided by Giada De Laurentiis
Categories main-dish
Time 55m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 15
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.
HEARTY MINESTRONE WITH PARMESAN RIND
Parmesan cheese rind adds incredible flavour to minestrone. Can garnish soup with pesto and/or parmesan cheese crisps
Provided by Abby Girl
Categories Beans
Time 8h20m
Yield 8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 21
Steps:
- Crostini: In bowl, toss together bread, oil and pepper; spread on rimmed baking sheet. Bake in 400 oven, tossing once until golden and crisp, 6 - 8 minutes. (Can make ahead).
- Cook pasta before adding to soup.
- Soup: Saute onion, celery, carrots, garlic, bay leaves, salt and pepper for about 5 - 8 minutes or until cooked. Scrape into slow cooker.
- Stir in tomato paste, ham hock, parmesan rind, potato, red and white beans and water. Cover and cook on low for 6 - 8 hours or until ham can be pulled off bone easily. Discard bay leaves and Paremesan rind.
- Increase heat to high. Stir in red pepper and zucchini; cook, covered for 20 minutes.
- Stir in cooked pasta.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 268.9, Fat 7.7, SaturatedFat 1.1, Sodium 583.4, Carbohydrate 43.8, Fiber 7.5, Sugar 6.8, Protein 9.2
HEARTY AND HEALTHY 3 BEAN MINESTRONE
Provided by Rachael Ray : Food Network
Time 2h
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 30
Steps:
- 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.
- 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.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 531 calorie, Fat 12 grams, SaturatedFat 2 grams, Cholesterol 5 milligrams, Sodium 1092 milligrams, Carbohydrate 87 grams, Fiber 18 grams, Protein 23 grams, Sugar 12 grams
HEARTY MINESTRONE
"This is my all-time favorite soup. I love make big batches and freeze some for later. This hearty dish reminds me of spaghetti and sauce in soup form!" -Katie Koziolek of Hartland, Minnesota
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Lunch
Time 1h5m
Yield 2 batches (6 servings each).
Number Of Ingredients 19
Steps:
- In a Dutch oven, cook the pork, celery and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Drain. , Stir in the tomatoes, beans, tomato juice, tomato sauce, broth, carrots, zucchini, Italian seasoning, salt, sugar if desired and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 30-35 minutes or until carrots are tender. , Transfer 6 cups of soup to a freezer container; cool. Freeze for up to 3 months. Add water and pasta to remaining soup; bring to a boil. Cover and cook until pasta is tender. , To use frozen soup: Thaw in the refrigerator; transfer to a large saucepan. Stir in water. Bring to a boil; reduce heat. Add pasta; cover and cook until tender.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 242 calories, Fat 7g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 25mg cholesterol, Sodium 853mg sodium, Carbohydrate 32g carbohydrate (5g sugars, Fiber 6g fiber), Protein 15g protein.
LUCINDA'S MINESTRONE
Adding a rind of Parmesan cheese brings a rich flavor to this meatless soup.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Soups, Stews & Stocks Soup Recipes
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Place 2 tablespoons of the olive oil, the onion, and garlic in a large heavy-bottomed soup pot over medium heat. Cook slowly, stirring occasionally, until the onion is translucent, about 3 minutes. Add the zucchini and the celery and keep cooking, stirring occasionally, for 2 minutes more. Add another tablespoon of the olive oil and the cauliflower and cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, as the vegetables slowly begin to soften. Stir in the green beans, cabbage, and remaining olive oil and cook, stirring occasionally, for another 2 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes and 2 cups water and simmer until all of the vegetables are softened, 5 to 8 minutes more.
- Add the salt, pepper, and Parmesan cheese rind and stir. Add more water if needed for the desired consistency -- it should be very thick. Cover and simmer 30 minutes. Add the chickpeas and basil sprigs and cook until chickpeas are heated through, 5 to 6 minutes. Serve in bowls with the Parmesan cheese grated over top and freshly ground pepper, and drizzle with olive oil.
HEARTY MINESTRONE SOUP
I love Minestrone and have several good recipes in my collection. This, from Cooks Illustrated, is one of the best.
Provided by KathyP53
Categories Beans
Time 10h
Yield 6-8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 19
Steps:
- Dissolve 1 1/2 tbsp salt in 2 qts. cold water in large bowl. Add beans and soak at room temperature for at least 8 hours and up to 24 hours. Drain and rinse well.
- Heat oil and pancetta in large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until pancetta is lightly browned and fat has rendered, 3-5 minutes. Add celery, carrots, onions, and zucchini; cook, stirring frequently, until vegetables are softened and lightly browned, 5-9 minutes. Stir in garlic, cabbage, 1/2 tsp salt and red pepper flakes; continue to cook until cabbage starts to wilt, 1-2 minutes longer. Transfer vegetables to rimmed baking sheet and set aside.
- Add soaked beans, water, broth, Parmesan rind, and bay leaf to now-empty Dutch oven and bring to boil over high heat. Reduce heat and vigorously simmer, stirring occasionally, until beans are fully tender and liquid begins to thicken, 45-60 minutes.
- Add reserved vegetables and V8 juice to pot; cook until vegetables are soft, about 15 minutes. Discard bay leaf and Parmesan rind, stir in chopped basil, and season with salt and pepper. Serve with olive oil and grated Parmesan.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 123, Fat 3.1, SaturatedFat 0.6, Sodium 58.5, Carbohydrate 18.8, Fiber 5.1, Sugar 4.6, Protein 7
MINESTRONE WITH GARLIC AND PARMESAN CROUTONS
Steps:
- In a large saucepan heat 1 tablespoon oil over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking and sauté onion, carrot, and potato with salt to taste until vegetables are lightly browned. Add tomatoes and their liquid, broth, and pasta and simmer, stirring to break up tomatoes, 10 minutes, or until pasta and vegetables are tender.
- In a skillet sauté garlic in remaining tablespoon oil over moderately high heat until golden and discard with a slotted spoon. In garlic-flavored oil fry bread, seasoned with salt, over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until golden on all sides. Remove skillet from heat and add parsley and Parmesan, tossing croutons to coat well.
- Add zucchini and half the croutons to tomato mixture and simmer, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes, or until zucchini is almost tender and croutons are dissolved. Stir in romaine and cook 1 minutes.
- Serve soup sprinkled with remaining croutons.
Tips:
- Use a variety of vegetables to make your minestrone more flavorful and nutritious. Some good options include carrots, celery, onions, potatoes, green beans, and zucchini.
- Don't be afraid to experiment with different types of beans and lentils. Some popular choices include cannellini beans, black beans, kidney beans, and lentils.
- Add some herbs and spices to your minestrone to give it more flavor. Some good options include basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary, and garlic.
- Use a good quality Parmesan rind to add a rich, nutty flavor to your minestrone. You can find Parmesan rinds at most grocery stores.
- Simmer your minestrone for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Serve your minestrone with a sprinkling of grated Parmesan cheese and a side of crusty bread.
Conclusion:
Minestrone is a delicious and hearty soup that is perfect for a cold winter day. It is also a great way to use up leftover vegetables. With so many different variations, there's sure to be a minestrone recipe that everyone will enjoy. So next time you're looking for a comforting and flavorful soup, give minestrone a try.
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