Kellys Minestrone Recipes

MINESTRONE SOUP

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook until translucent, about 4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook 30 seconds. Add the celery and carrot and cook until they begin to soften, about 5 minutes. Stir in the green beans, dried oregano and basil, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and pepper to taste; cook 3 more minutes.
• Add the diced and crushed tomatoes and the chicken broth to the pot and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium low and simmer 10 minutes. Stir in the kidney beans and pasta and cook until the pasta and vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes. Season with salt. Ladle into bowls and top with the parmesan and chopped basil.

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.

HOME-STYLE MINESTRONE

Steps:

• In 6-quart stockpot, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add garlic; cook and stir until garlic begins to brown. Stir in onions, celery and carrots; cook 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are tender.
• Stir in rosemary, beans, tomatoes, zucchini, pasta and broth. Heat to boiling. Reduce heat; cover and simmer about 20 minutes or until pasta is tender. Season with salt and pepper. Serve with cheese.

MAMA KATHY'S MINESTRONE

Steps:

• Place the beef, onion, and garlic in a skillet over medium heat. Cook until beef is evenly brown and onion is tender. Drain grease.
• Transfer beef, onion, and garlic to a large pot. Mix in tomatoes, tomato sauce, water, peas, carrots, spinach, bouillon cube, and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, and cook 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Add more water or tomato sauce as needed.
• Stir macaroni into the soup. Season with Italian seasoning. Continue cooking 10 minutes, or until macaroni is tender.

LELLI'S MINESTRONE SOUP

Steps:

• Saute onion in the margarine,.
• Add the above ingredients and simmer for at least 1 1/2 hours.
• Process at least half of the soup in a blender, or use a stick blender.
• Add 1/3 cup uncooked macaroni,1/4 cup parmesan cheese and 1 cup half & half.
• Cook for at least 20 minute more and serve with crusty bread and additional parmesan cheese.
• You can also add a small can of garbanzo beans with the macaroni, cheese and milk.

QUICKIE CHICKEN MINESTRONE

Steps:

• Start the soup: Heat a large soup pot over medium heat. Add the olive oil, scallions, carrots, garlic and mushrooms and season with salt and the oregano. Cook over medium high heat, stirring with a wooden spoon, until the vegetables become tender, 8 to 10 minutes. Add the chicken stock and tomatoes, bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes so the tomatoes lose their raw taste.
• Cook the chicken and pasta: Season the chicken breasts with salt on all sides. Lower the heat and add the chicken breasts and elbow macaroni. Simmer until the pasta cooks and the chicken breasts are cooked through and register 160 degrees F on a meat thermometer, 8 to 10 minutes.
• Finish: Turn off the heat. Using a slotted spoon, remove the chicken and transfer to a flat surface. Put a fork in each piece of chicken to hold it in place and avoid touching the hot meat with your hands as you cut. Slice the chicken into small pieces and add it back into the soup. Allow the soup to "stand" on the stove for 5 minutes before serving. Taste for seasoning. Stir in the basil and cheese.

KARI'S VEGETARIAN MINESTRONE

Steps:

• Saute oil and garlic in a large pot over medium-low heat until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add onion and saute for 2 to 3 minutes. Add carrots and saute for 3 minutes, followed by zucchini, mushrooms, and finally potato. Add more oil if necessary.
• Stir in diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and spinach; cook for 3 minutes. Stir in vegetable broth, water, kidney beans, basil, oregano, thyme, cayenne, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 1 hour; the more simmer time the better.