Claudettes Minestrone Recipes

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.

CLAUDETTE'S MINESTRONE

Steps:

• In a large pot combine the potatoes, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, beans, tomato paste and water. Cook over medium heat until all the vegetables are tender.
• Transfer soup to a food processor or blender and puree until smooth. Return to pot and stir in the pasta. Cook until pasta is done. Serve with Romano or Parmesan cheese, if desired.

CLASSIC MINESTRONE

Steps:

• In a casserole heat the olive oil. Add the onions and cook until golden, about 5 to 7 minutes. Then add the carrots and celery and cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. Add the beans, bay leaf and thyme and toss for 1 minute. Then add the beef stock, Parmesan rind (if using), plum tomatoes and their juice, and salt and pepper to taste. (Careful with the amount of salt since Parmesan rind will add a salty flavor.) Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 1 hour. Add the potatoes, zucchini and savoy cabbage and cook for 20 minutes more or until the vegetables are tender. Finally, add your pasta and cook, covered, for about 10 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper, ladle into bowls and serve with some pesto.

CLAUDETTE'S MINESTRONE

Steps:

• In a large pot combine the potatoes, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, beans, tomato paste and water. Cook over medium heat until all the vegetables are tender.
• Transfer soup to a food processor or blender and puree until smooth. Return to pot and stir in the pasta. Cook until pasta is done. Serve with Romano or Parmesan cheese, if desired.

CLAUDETTE'S MINESTRONE

Steps:

• In a large pot combine the potatoes, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, beans, tomato paste and water. Cook over medium heat until all the vegetables are tender.
• Transfer soup to a food processor or blender and puree until smooth. Return to pot and stir in the pasta. Cook until pasta is done. Serve with Romano or Parmesan cheese, if desired.