Step into the culinary realm of rustic Italian comfort food with our comprehensive guide to preparing the classic "pasta e fagioli" dish, a hearty and flavorful soup that celebrates the harmonious union of pasta, beans, and a symphony of aromatic herbs and vegetables. Join us on this journey to discover the secrets of crafting this timeless Italian delicacy, exploring various interpretations, and unveiling the tips and techniques that will transform your kitchen into a haven of authentic Italian flavors.
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PASTA AND BEANS: PASTA E FAGIOLI
I could live on this recipe -- a quick version of my Gran'pa Emmanuel's masterwork.
Provided by Rachael Ray : Food Network
Time 30m
Yield 6 BIG servings
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- Heat a deep pot over medium high heat and add oil and pancetta. Brown the pancetta bits lightly, and add herb stems, bay leaf, chopped vegetables, and garlic. Season vegetables with salt and pepper. Add beans, tomato sauce, water, and stock to pot and raise heat to high. Bring soup to a rapid boil and add pasta. Reduce heat to medium and cook soup, stirring occasionally, 6 to 8 minutes or until pasta is cooked al dente. Rosemary and thyme leaves will separate from stems as soup cooks. Remove herb stems and bay leaf from soup and place pot on table on a trivet. Let soup rest and begin to cool for a few minutes. Ladle soup into bowls and top with lots of grated cheese. Pass crusty bread for bowl mopping.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 365 calorie, Fat 10 grams, SaturatedFat 2 grams, Cholesterol 13 milligrams, Sodium 1101 milligrams, Carbohydrate 50 grams, Fiber 9 grams, Protein 18 grams, Sugar 8 grams
PASTA E FAGIOLI
This is a classic Italian bean and pasta soup. If you have already made a pot of beans using a pound of beans, and want to use it for this soup, just use half the beans but all of the broth as directed in Step 1.
Provided by Martha Rose Shulman
Categories dinner, soups and stews, main course
Time 1h50m
Yield 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Make the simmered beans as directed, changing only the amount of beans (use 2 quarts water). Remove onion and bay leaf, using tongs or a slotted spoon, as directed. Place a strainer over a bowl and drain beans. Measure broth and top up with enough water to make 6 cups.
- Heat oil over medium heat in a large, heavy casserole or Dutch oven and add chopped onion. Cook, stirring, until just tender, about 5 minutes. Add rosemary and garlic and stir together for another minute, until garlic is fragrant. Stir in tomatoes, add sugar, salt and pepper, and cook, stirring often, until tomatoes have cooked down and the mixture is very fragrant, 10 to 15 minutes.
- Add broth from the beans, tomato paste, hot pepper, bouquet garni, and salt to taste and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer 30 minutes. Stir in beans and heat through. Taste and adjust salt.
- 10 to 15 minutes before serving, stir in pasta. When it is cooked al dente, taste and adjust seasonings, stir in parsley, and serve, passing Parmesan in a bowl.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 92, UnsaturatedFat 2 grams, Carbohydrate 16 grams, Fat 2 grams, Fiber 3 grams, Protein 3 grams, SaturatedFat 0 grams, Sodium 322 milligrams, Sugar 4 grams
PASTA AND BEAN SOUP (PASTA E FAGIOLI)
Venetians prize a soup made thick by using mashed beans. This recipe is based on the preparations at Venice's Fiaschetteria Toscana and Osteria alla Bomba. A tablespoon of salt may sound like a lot, but it is needed to bring out the beans' flavor. From Gourmet Magazine, 2000.
Provided by Bev I Am
Categories Beans
Time 16h
Yield 10 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Combine beans and water in an 8-quart heavy pot and soak, covered, 12 hours.
- Add vegetables and 1 tablespoon rosemary to pot and simmer, covered, until beans are tender, about 2 hours.
- Using a slotted spoon, set aside 1 heaping cup bean mixture, then reserve 2 cups cooking liquid separately.
- Force remaining soup through a food mill into a very large bowl.
- Cook pancetta in cleaned pot over moderate heat, stirring, until it begins to render its fat.
- Add remaining rosemary and cook, stirring, 15 seconds.
- Stir in puréed soup, reserved whole beans, salt, and pepper and bring to a simmer, stirring frequently and scraping bottom with a wooden spatula to keep soup from sticking to pot (thin with some of reserved bean liquid if necessary).
- Add pasta and simmer, stirring frequently, until pasta is cooked, about 12 minutes.
- Serve soup drizzled with olive oil.
- -This soup is best the day after it's made.
- Cool it uncovered, before chilling, covered, up to 4 days.
- -You can use a blender or food processor instead of a food mill to purée the soup, but pulse briefly.
- This soup should be textured and thick.
- Makes 4 quarts, serving 8 to 10.
PASTA E FAGIOLI SOUP
Remember Dean Martin swooning his "pasta fazool?" This soup is what he meant when he swore it was Amore. Pasta e fagioli - meaning "pasta and beans," is the traditional meatless bean soup that is now a popular worldwide gourmet item. Like many other Italian favorite recipes, pasta e fagioli was a peasant food dish, due to cheaply available, stomach-filling beans and pasta.
Provided by Timothy H.
Categories Beans
Time 1h5m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- If you're using dried beans, sort them to remove stones or damaged beans and loose skins, soak them overnight and change the water at least once.
- Cook the beans in 2 liters (8 cups) of water, with the pancetta, garlic, rosemary and salt to taste until done-they should be quite soft.
- Remove half the beans from the pot with a slotted spoon and puree them through a food mill and toss them all back into the pot. Simmer the soup until it takes on a creamed velvety texture, with the whole beans bubbling along.
- Season to taste with salt and pepper, and cook the pasta in the soup until it is al dente.
- Adjust the seasoning, let the soup rest covered for a few minutes, then ladle the ambrosia into individual bowls, and serve drizzled with a thread of raw olive oil, paired with a nice red wine like a Chianti Classico.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 410.1, Fat 1.5, SaturatedFat 0.4, Sodium 7.6, Carbohydrate 73.5, Fiber 30.2, Protein 28.1
Tips:
- Use dried beans: Dried beans are more flavorful than canned beans and have a better texture. If you don't have time to soak the beans overnight, you can quick-soak them by boiling them in water for 1 minute, then removing them from the heat and letting them sit for 1 hour.
- Sauté the vegetables: Sautéing the vegetables in olive oil before adding them to the soup will help to develop their flavor.
- Use a good quality pasta: The type of pasta you use will make a big difference in the final dish. Choose a pasta that is made with high-quality ingredients and has a good texture.
- Don't overcook the pasta: Pasta should be cooked al dente, or slightly firm to the bite. Overcooked pasta will be mushy and unappetizing.
- Season the soup to taste: Add salt, pepper, and other seasonings to taste. You may also want to add a splash of red wine vinegar or lemon juice to brighten the flavors.
Conclusion:
Pasta e Fagioli is a delicious and hearty soup that is perfect for a cold winter day. It is easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste preferences. Whether you like it thick or thin, spicy or mild, there is a Pasta e Fagioli recipe out there for you. So next time you are looking for a comforting and satisfying meal, give Pasta e Fagioli a try!
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