Best 5 Summer Minestrone With Fresh Basil Recipes

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Summer minestrone, a vibrant and flavorful soup, is a delightful way to savor the bounty of fresh summer vegetables. Originating in Italy, this hearty and versatile soup features a symphony of colorful ingredients like zucchini, carrots, green beans, tomatoes, and tender basil. Whether enjoyed as a light lunch or served as a comforting dinner, summer minestrone is a testament to the culinary magic that can be created with the freshest ingredients of the season.

Here are our top 5 tried and tested recipes!

SUMMER MINESTRONE WITH FRESH BASIL



Summer Minestrone With Fresh Basil image

You can finish this hearty summer soup with slivered fresh basil, or with pistou, the Provençal version of pesto (it's pesto without the pine nuts). A Parmesan rind, simmered in the soup and then removed, adds great depth of flavor without adding fat. On a hot summer day in Italy the soup might be served at room temperature, or just barely warm.

Provided by Martha Rose Shulman

Time 1h20m

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 16

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
2 medium carrots, peeled and chopped
1 celery stalk, chopped
Salt
4 large garlic cloves, minced or pressed
1 pound tomatoes, peeled, seeded, and chopped, or 1 (14-ounce) can chopped tomatoes, with liquid
1 medium turnip, peeled and diced
3/4 pound zucchini, diced
A bouquet garni consisting of 1 Parmesan rind, 1 bay leaf, 3 sprigs parsley and 3 sprigs thyme, tied together with kitchen string or tied into a piece of cheesecloth
1 (15-ounce) can cannellini or borlotti beans, drained and rinsed
6 ounces green beans, cut into 1-inch lengths
1/2 cup soup pasta, such as elbow macaroni, or broken spaghetti, or 3/4 cup penne
Freshly ground pepper to taste
1/4 cup slivered fresh basil leaves, or 1/2 cup pistou (see recipe)
Freshly grated Parmesan for garnish

Steps:

  • Heat the olive oil over medium-low heat in a large, heavy soup pot or Dutch oven and add the onion, carrots, and celery. Cook, stirring, until beginning to soften, about 3 minutes, and add 1/2 teaspoon salt. Continue to cook, stirring often, until tender, about 5 more minutes. Add the garlic, stir together for about a minute, and stir in the tomatoes. Cook, stirring, until the tomatoes have cooked down and smell fragrant, about 10 minutes. Stir in 2 quarts water, the turnip, zucchini, and the bouquet garni, and bring to a simmer. Add 2 teaspoons salt, reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer 45 minutes. Stir in the canned beans. Taste and adjust salt. Remove the bouquet garni.
  • While the soup is simmering, bring a pot of salted water to a boil and add the green beans. Boil 5 minutes, until just tender but still bright green. Transfer to a bowl of ice water, allow to cool, and drain. Retain the cooking water in case you want to thin out the soup later.
  • Add the pasta to the soup and simmer another 10 minutes, or until the pasta is cooked al dente. Stir the cooked green beans into the soup. Grind in some pepper and taste and adjust seasonings. It should be savory and rich-tasting.
  • Stir in the basil or pistou, or place a spoonful of pistou in each bowl and stir in. Serve in wide soup bowls, with a sprinkling of Parmesan over the top.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 146, UnsaturatedFat 2 grams, Carbohydrate 26 grams, Fat 2 grams, Fiber 6 grams, Protein 7 grams, SaturatedFat 0 grams, Sodium 547 milligrams, Sugar 6 grams

SUMMER MINESTRONE



Summer Minestrone image

Provided by Tyler Florence

Categories     main-dish

Time 40m

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 22

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
1 medium onion, diced
1 bay leaf
3 sprigs fresh marjoram
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil leaves
2 celery ribs, peeled and chopped
1 bunch asparagus, cut into 1-inch pieces
2 cups young green beans, cut into 1-inch pieces
2 cups shelled English peas (or substitute frozen)
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 quarts low-sodium chicken stock, enough to cover
1 cup heavy cream
Basil and Mint Pesto, recipe follows
1 bunch watercress or parsley
1 cup fresh basil leaves
1 cup fresh mint leaves
1/2 cup Parmesan or Romano
1/2 cup pine nuts, toasted
4 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil

Steps:

  • In a large, heavy pot add a 3-count of extra-virgin olive oil. Add garlic, onion, bay leaf, marjoram and basil. Saute gently until fragrant. Add the vegetables and cook a little of the moisture out, about 5 to 7 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Dump in the chicken stock and heavy cream bring to a gentle boil. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 15 to 20 so the flavours can come together - do not let it boil hard. Remove half of the vegetables from the pot and puree and add back to the pot to thicken. Simmer for 5 to 7 minutes until the vegetables are just tender. Serve each bowl with a spoonful of basil and mint pesto on top, a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil and some freshly ground black pepper. Garnish with watercress or parsley.
  • Put all the ingredients into a food processor and pulse until just combined and the pesto still has a lot of texture.

SUMMER MINESTRONE SALAD



Summer Minestrone Salad image

This versatile dish can be featured as a starter, a side or an entrée! It's delicious served warm or cold, making it the perfect summer recipe using the minestrone soup mix you have in your pantry.

Provided by Bear Creek

Categories     Salad     100+ Pasta Salad Recipes     Vegetarian Pasta Salad Recipes

Time 35m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 package Bear Creek® Minestrone Soup Mix
5 cups water
2 cups Green Giant® Whole Kernel Sweet Corn
1 (14 ounce) can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
3 medium (4-1/8" long)s chopped green onions
3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Steps:

  • Bring water to a boil. Stir in soup mix and simmer 11 minutes; remove from heat (vegetables and pasta will still be firm).
  • Stir in corn, chickpeas, and vinegar. Let sit for 15 minutes.
  • Stir in remaining ingredients.
  • Serve warm, room temperature, or chilled.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 202.5 calories, Carbohydrate 39.5 g, Fat 1.3 g, Fiber 6.4 g, Protein 7.6 g, SaturatedFat 0.1 g, Sodium 1194.6 mg, Sugar 5.6 g

MINESTRONE WITH BASIL



Minestrone with Basil image

Categories     Soup/Stew     Blender     Bean     Pasta     Tomato     Vegetable     Vegetarian     Lunch     Basil     Healthy     Cabbage     Bon Appétit     Pescatarian     Peanut Free     Tree Nut Free     Soy Free     No Sugar Added     Kosher

Yield Serves 6

Number Of Ingredients 16

1/2 cup dried red beans
5 cups water
2 cups shredded green cabbage
1 1/2 cups chopped tomatoes
1 small onion, chopped
1 celery stalk, diced
1 carrot, diced
1 zucchini, diced
1 medium russet potato, peeled, left whole
1 small russet potato, peeled, diced
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 1/2 tablespoons finely chopped garlic
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup small shell pasta
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Place beans in medium bowl. Add enough cold water to cover by 2 inches; soak overnight. Drain.
  • Place beans in large Dutch oven. Add 5 cups water and next 11 ingredients and bring to boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer until beans are tender, stirring occasionally, about 1 hour.
  • Transfer 2 cups soup and whole potato to blender and puree. Return puree to soup in pot. Add pasta and 1/4 cup basil; simmer uncovered until pasta is cooked through and flavors blend, stirring occasionally, about 25 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Mix in 1/4 cup basil. Serve with Parmesan cheese.

SUMMER MINESTRONE WITH PESTO



Summer Minestrone with Pesto image

Categories     Soup/Stew     Bean     Cheese     Tomato     Vegetable     Appetizer     Summer     Bon Appétit     Wheat/Gluten-Free     Peanut Free     Tree Nut Free     Soy Free     No Sugar Added

Yield Makes 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

3 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
6 cups low-salt chicken broth
2 carrots, peeled, cut into 1/2-inch-thick rounds
2 celery stalks, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
4 small red-skinned potatoes, quartered
1/2 pound green beans, trimmed, cut into 1-inch pieces
3 small zucchini, halved lengthwise, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 15-ounce can cannellini (white kidney beans), drained
2 tomatoes, peeled, crushed
2 cups fresh spinach leaves, chopped
6 tablespoons Classic Pesto
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Heat olive oil in heavy large pot over medium heat. Add onion and sauté until soft, about 4 minutes. Add broth and next 7 ingredients. Increase heat to high and bring soup to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, partially cover pot, and simmer until potatoes are tender, about 10 minutes. Stir in spinach; simmer 3 minutes longer. Season soup to taste with salt and pepper. Ladle soup into 6 bowls; garnish each with 1 tablespoon pesto. Serve, passing cheese separately.

Tips:

  • Use fresh vegetables. This will give your soup the best flavor and texture.
  • Don't be afraid to experiment with different vegetables. This soup is very versatile, so you can add or remove vegetables to suit your taste.
  • Season the soup to taste. Add salt, pepper, and other seasonings to taste.
  • Serve the soup with a dollop of pesto or a sprinkling of Parmesan cheese. This will add extra flavor and richness.

Conclusion:

Summer minestrone soup is a delicious and healthy way to enjoy the fresh vegetables of the season. It's also a great way to use up any leftover vegetables you have on hand. This soup is easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste. So experiment with different vegetables and seasonings until you find a combination that you love.

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