Alice Waterss Seasonal Minestrone Recipes

ALICE WATERS'S SEASONAL MINESTRONE

Steps:

• Soak the beans overnight in a large pot, covered by several inches of water.
• The next day, simmer the beans 2 hours or until tender. Drain and set aside, reserving the cooking water.
• Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and carrots and cook for about 10 minutes, or until onion is translucent. Add the garlic, thyme, bay leaf and salt. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, stirring often, for 5 minutes longer.
• Add 3 cups water and bring to a low boil. When boiling, add the leek and green beans. After 5 minutes, add the zucchini and tomatoes. After 15 minutes, add the spinach and beans and cook for 5 more minutes. If the soup is too thick, add water (reserved bean water is good).
• Remove the bay leaf and bare thyme sticks and adjust the seasoning, if necessary. Serve in bowls, each garnished with grated Parmesan cheese or pesto.

WINTER MINESTRONE

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a heavy large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, celery, pancetta, and garlic. Saute until the onion is translucent, about 10 minutes. Add the Swiss chard and potato; saute for 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes and rosemary sprig. Simmer until the chard is wilted and the tomatoes break down, about 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, blend 3/4 cup of the beans with 1/4 cup of the broth in a processor until almost 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 15 minutes. Stir in the whole beans and parsley. Simmer until the beans are heated through and the soup is thick, about 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Discard Parmesan rind and rosemary sprig (the leaves will have fallen off of the stem.)
• Ladle the soup into bowls and serve.

ANYTIME MINESTRONE

Steps:

• For the soup: Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large heavy pot over medium-high heat. Cook the mushrooms, undisturbed, until browned underneath, about 2 minutes. Toss and continue to cook, tossing occasionally, until browned on both sides and tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and transfer to a medium bowl.
• Heat the butter and remaining 2 tablespoons oil in the same pot over medium-high heat. Add the onions, garlic, cabbage, squash, tomatoes, green beans, 1 tablespoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened but not browned, 6 to 8 minutes. Add the mushrooms and 8 cups water, bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook until the vegetables are tender, 5 to 10 minutes. Add the garbanzo beans and cook until warmed through, about 3 minutes. Season if necessary.
• Meanwhile, make the pistou: Pulse the garlic, parsley, basil, pecans and 2 tablespoons of the oil in a food processor until finely chopped. Transfer to a small bowl and stir in the Parmesan, grapefruit zest, crushed red pepper and remaining 2 tablespoons oil; season with salt.
• Divide the soup among bowls and top with the pistou.

ALICE WATERS' SPRING MINESTRONE SOUP

Steps:

• In a heavy-bottomed pan over medium heat: 2 T olive oil Add: 1 large onion, finely chopped 1 fennel bulb, sliced into thin, bite-sized pieces. Cook for 15 minutes, or until tender. Add: 4 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped 5 thyme sprigs 1 bay leaf 1 teaspoons salt Cook for 5 minutes longer. Add, and bring to a boil: 3 cups water (or 2 c vegetable bouillon and 1 c water) When boiling, add: 2 small leeks, sliced very thin and washed well Simmer for 10 minutes. Taste for salt and adjust as necessary, then add 3 cups of cooked beans---cannellini, Great Northern, or navy-- along with: 1 cup shelled peas (from 1 pound in the pod) 1/2 pound asparagus, trimmed and sliced on the diagonal into 1/2-inch pieces Cook for 5 minutes. If the soup is too thick, add more water. Remove the bay leaf. Serve in bowls with 1 tablespoon or more grated Parmesan cheese