Quick Minestrone
- Total Time
- 1 hour
- Rating
- Comments
- Read comments
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Ingredients
- ¼cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 2ounces pancetta, finely chopped
- 1large onion or 2 shallots, peeled and cut into chunks
- 1celery rib, trimmed and cut into chunks
- 1large carrot, peeled and cut into chunks
- 8ounces baby kale or shredded savoy cabbage (about ¼ of a medium-size head)
- 2celery ribs, cut into small dice
- 2carrots, cut into small dice
- 1medium zucchini, cut into large dice
- 1(15-ounce) can cranberry, cannellini or other white beans, rinsed and drained
- 4 to 5canned whole peeled tomatoes, seeded and cut into small dice
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1quart vegetable or chicken stock, plus more to taste
- 2sprigs fresh rosemary, marjoram or oregano
- Slice of crusty bread for each serving (optional, see note)
- Extra-virgin olive oil
- Freshly shredded Parmigiano-Reggiano
For the Soup Base
For the Vegetables
To Finish the Soup
Nutritional analysis per serving (8 servings)
323 calories; 16 grams fat; 3 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 10 grams monounsaturated fat; 2 grams polyunsaturated fat; 34 grams carbohydrates; 8 grams dietary fiber; 7 grams sugars; 13 grams protein; 743 milligrams sodium
Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
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Preparation
- Step 1
Make the soup base: In a medium-size heavy soup pot, combine the oil and pancetta over medium-low heat to slowly render the fat and cook the pancetta, stirring occasionally.
- Step 2
Meanwhile, in a food processor, combine the onion or shallots, celery and carrot. Pulse until finely chopped. Add to pot with cooked pancetta and adjust heat so the vegetables soften and cook without browning, stirring occasionally, 8 to 10 minutes.
- Step 3
Add the other vegetables: Stirring after each addition, add the kale or cabbage, celery, carrots, zucchini, beans and tomatoes. Season generously with salt and pepper.
- Step 4
Add the stock and 1 cup water (or, if you prefer a soup that’s not as thick, add additional stock to taste, up to 2 cups). Add the herb sprigs. Cover, raise the heat and bring to a full boil. Uncover, lower the heat to a bubbly simmer, and cook 30 minutes, or until vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally. Taste and adjust the seasonings with salt and pepper. Remove the herb sprigs.
- Step 5
Serve in bowls, drizzling a little olive oil and sprinkling a big pinch of cheese over each serving.
- If using bread, when ready to serve, toast or grill the slices and place 1 on the bottom of each soup bowl. Pour the soup over the bread and let it stand for about 5 minutes before adding the oil and cheese.
Private Notes
Comments
Perhaps this recipe is for a lighter version of minestrone, but I always like to add a Parmesan cheese rind to the simmering soup.... adds a nice depth of flavor
Cranberry is a variety of bean, often used in minestrone, pasta e fagioli. Sometimes called roman bean or borlotti bean.
Several cloves of garlic and fresh basil add much flavor.
I'm a lazy jerkoff, so I made with Better than Bouillon vegetable base and one rasher of thick bacon chopped into bits because it tastes better than pancetta. Still delicious, especially with a thick piece of toast and a wheelbarrow full (approx) of parm.
Could this be made without a food processor?
I don't have one, so I thought about using my stick blender, but that wouldn't work either, so I used Better than Bouillon vegetable base, etc and the world didn't end. At least not right now anyway.
This is a hearty soup that was very rewarding on a wintery afternoon. I followed the recipe as is and will definitely be making it again. I really noticed the flavour of the two fresh oregano sprigs. I used slice of homemade artisan bread toasted with olive oil. Fresh romano cheese and oil adds to the flavour.