Minestrone Recipe
Awaken your culinary senses with a stroll through the aromatic realms of minestrone, the Italian heritage soup that nourishes both body and soul. Imagine a simmering pot filled with vibrant vegetables, tender beans, and pasta dancing in harmony within a savory broth, bathed in the warmest hues of Mediterranean sunshine.
Every spoonful opens up a charter of taste, transporting you to rustic kitchens and sun-drenched vineyards of Italy. Generously seasoned with love and tradition, this hearty minestrone soup recipe promises not just a meal, but an unforgettable taste journey. Get ready to immerse in the magic of this timeless Italian comfort, one spoon at a time.
Minestrone: Ingredients and preparation
Sure, here is a detailed recipe for Minestrone:
Ingredients:
– 2 tablespoons of olive oil
– 1 onion, chopped
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 2 stalks of celery, diced
– 2 carrots, diced
– 1 zucchini, diced
– 1 cup of fresh green beans, trimmed and cut into half-inch pieces
– 1 bell pepper, diced
– 1 can (14.5-ounce) of diced tomatoes
– 4 cups of vegetable broth
– 1 can (15-ounce) of kidney beans, drained and rinsed
– 1 teaspoon of salt
– ½ teaspoon of black pepper
– 1 teaspoon of oregano
– 1 teaspoon of basil
– 1 bay leaf
– ½ cup of small pasta, such as macaroni
– 2 cups of fresh spinach, roughly chopped
– ¼ cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions:
1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2. Add the onion and garlic, and cook until they are softened and lightly browned, about 5 minutes.
3. Add the celery, carrots, zucchini, and green beans to the pot. Cook until the vegetables begin to soften, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes.
4. Add the bell pepper and cook for another 2 minutes.
5. Stir in the tomatoes, vegetable broth, kidney beans, salt, black pepper, oregano, basil, and bay leaf.
6. Bring the soup to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium-low and continue simmering for about 20 minutes.
7. Add the pasta to the soup and cook until the pasta is tender, about 10 minutes.
8. Stir in the spinach. Cook until the spinach is wilted, about 2 minutes.
9. Remove the bay leaf before serving.
10. Serve the soup hot, sprinkle some Parmesan cheese on top for added flavor if desired.
Enjoy your delicious Minestrone!
Note: This recipe makes approximately six servings. Adjust quantities based on the number of guests you intend to serve.
How to improve this Minestrone recipe
To enhance your Minestrone, consider using fresh seasonal vegetables rather than canned ones for an added crisp and flavor. A quality vegetable stock can also enhance the depth of flavor. Additionally, adding a parmesan rind while simmering the soup can introduce a new level of umami.
In the second phase of cooking, adding small pasta like Ditalini can make your Minestrone heartier. Don’t forget to adjust spices at the end; a touch of fresh basil or even a couple of dashes of a quality balsamic vinegar can bring a whole new dimension to the traditional recipe.
