Sunday, January 2, 2011

Minestrone Soup



Happy New Year, everyone and may 2011 be a wonderful year for you all! For my very first post of 2011, I'd like to share a recipe for Minestrone Soup. It is definitely soup weather here and I look forward to many more soup nights in our home this winter.

I found this Minestrone recipe at Chicho's Kitchen, a wonderful food blog.  My husband and I love it!  I have made only a few minor adaptions.  It's a delicious soup, thickened with pureed Cannelini beans and simmered with beef stock.  If you wish, you could use vegetable stock to keep it completely vegetarian.You will find the recipe below.



Looking back at 2010, I would say my proudest accomplishment of 2010 was making Habanero Gold Jelly. It was the very first time I had tried canning! I'll be looking forward to continued inspiration from my blogging friends and stretching my culinary boundaries even more in 2011.

Blogging has become such a wildly popular phenomenon in the past few years. Don't you wonder if we'll still be blogging when the next decade begins, or, will there be a new way of sharing and connecting with other Foodies?  It will be interesting!


Minestrone Soup

Adapted from Chicho's Kitchen
Printable Recipe

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
3 carrots, peeled and chopped
3 celery stalks, chopped
1/2 celery root, peeled and cut into small cubes
1 russet potato, peeled and cut into small cubes
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 lb Swiss chard, large stems and center vein removed and leaves coarsely chopped
1 28-oz can San Marzano plum tomatoes, chopped, juice reserved
1 fresh rosemary sprig
2 15-oz cans cannellini beans, drained and rinsed (I have also used 1 can of Cannelini and one can of Lentils)
1 32-oz container no-sodium beef stock (I like Kitchen Basics brand). You could substitute vegetable stock for a vegetarian soup.
1 oz piece Parmesan cheese rind
1/2 cup Ditalini pasta, or other tiny pasta
2 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves
Salt and pepper to taste

Heat the oil in a heavy large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, celery, and garlic. Saute until the onion is translucent, about 10 minutes. Add the Swiss chard, potato and celery root and saute for 4 minutes. Add the tomatoes, reserved tomato juice and rosemary sprig. Simmer until the chard is wilted and the tomatoes start to break down, about 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, blend 1 can of the beans with 1/2 cup of the broth in a food processor until almost chunky/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 25-30 minutes. Stir in the whole beans and parsley and simmer until the beans are heated through and the soup is thick, about 2 minutes more. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Remove the Parmesan rind and rosemary sprig, and serve.

65 comments:

  1. The butternut squash gnocchi was the one that caught my attention the most and even bookmarked it. You had an amazing year, and I know 2011 will be even better.

    Angie

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  2. I miss minestrone soup...it looks so warm and comforting.
    Gotta try your onion spread as we are big fans of onions.

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  3. Oh Susan..I hope we are still blogging in the next decade..I have made many of your recipes..

    It's been really nice having this time together:)

    Happy New Year !
    PS the onion spread is delish..:)

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  4. What a great year of posts you've had and I'm looking forward to many more favorites this coming year!

    Minestrone is a favorite in our house, too!
    Happy New Year!

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  5. Interesting thought, I wonder if we will still be blogging in the years to come! I hope so, it's so fun getting to "know" everyone and sharing recipes.

    Your had some amazing recipes for 2010, looking forward to 2011.

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  6. It's been so nice getting to know you this year. Have a wonderful New Year. I can't think of a better way to kick it off than with this minestrone soup!

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  7. It's been so nice getting to know you this year. Have a wonderful New Year. I can't think of a better way to kick it off than with this minestrone soup!

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  8. I think that minestrone may get up to the top of the list soon... great recipe and of course the photo is perfect. My biggest visits had nothing to do with food, I think... it was Secretariat! Go figure. My favorite on the list was the gnocchi... it saved my bacon when a vegetarian came over unexpectedly. SHe loved it so much she asked for all the leftovers. Needless to say it's in the rotation now! Have a great and delicious 2011! I can't wait to see what you make.

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  9. It's always a good time for soup! I may give this recipe a try...it looks really good and very healthy! I've posted about cooking, too, for Mosaic Monday...I hope you'll stop by and check out my Innovations to the New Joy of Cooking! Thanks for the recipe, and I really enjoyed seeing your Top Posts for 2010.

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  10. The Great Dane and I were listening to CBC this afternoon and to a call-in from Newfoundland. The caller spoke about making soup, which made both of us pay attention - it's cold enough here to make soup a very attractive dinner!

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  11. What a fun look back at your top 5 posts, I enjoyed seeing what ones made the list :)

    The minestrone sounds wonderful, I was just telling J that it's time for lighter foods and soup tops the list.

    Your photos are wonderful as always.

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  12. great photos!
    I LOVE a good minestrone recipe!
    -Mini Baker

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  13. Yummy! Doesn't food make beautiful mosaics!!!!!!!! Happy Hew Year!

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  14. I completely forgot about your delicious sounding Carmelized Onion Spread with the hustle & bustle of the season...I'm looking forward to trying it alongside a bowl of soup this winter! Happy New Year :-)

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  15. I reorganized recipe binders today ... culling some of the old and adding new. Your Caramelized Onion Spread is now the first featured appetizer. Fantastic recipe!

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  16. Oh, boy! You have some wonderful recipes that I need to go back and look at.

    I am happy about this Minestrone recipe. I made one for our Spanish guests last week and It wasn't as flavorful as I had hoped. Now I have one with your recommendation so I know it will be good!

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  17. All of your posts have been fantastic..remember the onion dip too!!
    I bet that soup tastes even better in those red dishes...

    Best Wishes for you and John in the New Year...and MACK!!

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  18. Looks sooo good! Thanks for sharing your wonderful recipes!

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  19. It's definitely soup weather here! I love to make soup on the weekend and then take it to work for lunches. This minestrone looks fabulous- I just recently discovered that I love celery root. :) I've enjoyed all of your posts this year and look forward to 2011. Happy New Year!

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  20. 5 Fantastic posts! But each and every one of your posts is a treasure Susan. That soup would hit the spot with me right now. I will have to make it soon.

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  21. The soup looks wonderful!!
    I'd love to try your onion spread, I'm a big fan of onions :)
    Happy New Year!

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  22. I see what you mean, Susan. Our soups are similar...and both delicious, right? :)
    Happy New Year to you and I'm looking forward to another year with you...I love your recipes!

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  23. Mia cara, questa zuppa di verdure è perfetta per riprendersi dalle abbuffate delle feste, brava!!! bacioni

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  24. Sounds so delicious. I would have to take out the swiss chard. I am not a fan of it.

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  25. You had some amazing recipes , looking forward to 2011.
    HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

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  26. 5 great dishes here, especially the bean soup. You always have great recipes and I'm looking forward to many more this year. Happy New Year!

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  27. Mike is a fan of Minestrone, You know me, with the veggies. The trio in soup is about it. :)
    You were so scientific in your choices, going back to see what was popular!
    I think people like the uncomplicated, things they can make without going out to buy seldom used ingredients.
    I am sure your pics alone inspire them to try something new to them!
    Always beautiful!

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  28. I have a Top 5 List too...your blog is definitely in my Top 5 Favorites...I'm so anxious to open each post to see what delights you have to offer. Thanks so much for the joy you give us all.

    Happy New Year all.

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  29. all 5 wonderful recipes...inspiring photos, giving one an urge to at least try it! Like your minestrone...even though I'm completely "eaten out" and not in the mood for food, I fell like running and grabbing the ingredients when seeing your soup..afer all, a soup IS just great for January! Have a wonderful 2011 and I'm looking forward walking the raod with you1
    bisous
    Ronelle

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  30. These were amazing. Thanks for the recipe too~

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  31. I never say no to a good minestrone. Happy New Year Susan to you and your family, with more beautiful meals to share with us.

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  32. Susan, you soup looks so good as well as all of the top five posts for the past 30 months. I am also curious what the new medium will be. I never dreamed I would ever be the hostess of a blog. I always enjoyed stopping at your happy spot. Love the red in your photo today too. Joni

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  33. Wonderful post and photos and the soup looks delicious! I hope you have another great year of blogging. I love the recipes.I wish you and yours a very Happy, Healthy New Year.

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  34. I love minestrone. This looks like a fabulous version!

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  35. Susan, I've tried many of your wonderful recipes and have enjoyed every one. Your minestrone is next on my list. Our weather has been so cold and damp that I could eat soup every day.

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  36. Minestrone is a perfect recipe to start the year off with...It looks so comforting...so does that bean soup...Happy New Year!

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  37. Minestrone is a perfect recipe to start the year off with...It looks so comforting...so does that bean soup...Happy New Year!

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  38. Can't beat a good minestrone to warm you up inside and out. I want a bowl right now.

    Nisrine

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  39. What a great post;all your recipes are winners. Love that Minestrone and so much better when we can find
    San Marzano plum tomatoes.Lately I've been lucky at Costo's.

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  40. Hmmmm, they all look wonderful, but I can speak personally and say that the Baked Caramelized Onion Spread is delicious.

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  41. wonderful soup :-0
    happy new year again :0

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  42. My husband and I also love soup, it's so good and healthy for you. This looks delicious and I think I'll give it a try tomorrow! Happy New Year, looking forward to more "visits" in 2011!

    Mary

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  43. I love soup and this sounds FABULOUS! Thanks for this! I just came across your blog and I'm sooo happy I did!!!! Happy 2011!!

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  44. I worry about my pictures and posts... in the future with a web provider hosting my precious writings and thoughts. I worry about losing it all in cyberspace one day. That would be sad. But, you are right. Everything changes so fast, the blogging and website platforms will too! Interesting thought. Of your top 5 it is the pasta that looks incredible to me... but, they all do. That is why I come back every time!
    Happy Happy 2011!!!!
    Valerie

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  45. The minestrone looks wonderful Susan,I like it!have a lovely day, a hug....

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  46. I've been getting more and more into soup lately and I love that this minestrone is thickened with cannelinis - my favorite bean! Delicious.

    And you can be sure that I'll be making that gnocchi in the near future!

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  47. This is my daughter's favorite soup! Thanks for sharing the recipe!

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  49. ok, take two...

    my mouth is absolutely watering -- that looks so delicious -- recipes and images both!!! thanks for sharing, and have a wonderful new year! :)

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  50. Soup is on my mind these days. Your recipe looks and sounds delicious and I've printed it out. Once I discovered the trick of adding a parmesan rind to the pot, we've enjoyed our soup even more. Although we do use fresh parmesan, I never have enough rind. I recently discovered I can purchase a tub of rinds from Whole Foods for a few dollars. I keep them in the freezer and pop them in a number of soups.

    I'm looking forward to more of your delicious recipes this year.

    Best,
    Bonnie

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  51. Thank you all for all of your wonderful comments! I do hope you try this recipe - it is now my favorite of all the minestrone recipes I've ever tried.

    Thank you, Cherine, for a great recipe!

    Bonnie, I didn't know you buy Parmesan rinds! Thank you so much for that tip and I'll be sure to look for them the next time I'm near a Whole Foods.

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  52. Wow everything looks not only appetizing and delicious it is beautiful. Love your photos, I can almost taste that minestrone soup now. :)
    Maryrose

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  53. Everything looks beautiful! But now I really want to try that baked caramelized onion spread :) Yum!

    Sues

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  54. I love minestrone too and miss it! Thanks for reminding me that I need to make it soon!

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  55. la zuppa è veramente fanastica e anche il resto è molto godurioso.
    complimenti per le foto!

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  56. i really love minestrone soup, it's been awhile since i last has some. thanks for sharing this and have a great day.

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  57. Susan, I hope 2011 will be filled with joy and plenty of cuddles from Mr. Mack!
    I also hope you'll continue to be inspired to blog, for my sake :)

    Best Wishes for a Happy and Healthy New Year!

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  58. They are all definitely fantastic posts...And love this soup, one of my favorites :)
    Happy 2011!

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  59. Isn't it interesting to see what posts garner the most attention? Sometimes they are indeed the ones I most expect to, and sometimes they are the ones I'd least expect---you just never know!

    It will be interesting to see how or if blogging evolves. I bet it does!

    Happy 2011 to you. Can't wait to see what new recipes you have to share!

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  60. Every recipe you make is my favorite! I'm so happy that you posted this Minestrone soup. I don't have a great one. ANd this one looks delightful.
    Look for it on StoneGable menu next week with a link back to this post!
    Why do I always leave your blog so hungry?
    xo Yvonne

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  61. Susan I love all your recipes! They are always so beautifully presented and photographed. Minestrone is a favorite soup of ours, especially made with Swiss Chard and cannelini beans!

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  62. Nothing beats a good minestrone soup. This recipe is hearty and very healthy.Great version!

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  63. mi piace moltissimo il minestrone!! il tuo è super invitante!!!!!!baci!

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