Menestra Or Sopa De Verduras Market Vegetable Soup Recipes

MENESTRA OR SOPA DE VERDURAS (MARKET VEGETABLE SOUP)

Steps:

• Combine all the soup ingredients in a 5-quart slow cooker, cover, and cook on LOW for 7 hours, checking occasionally and add more water (or broth) if needed.
• Taste and adjust the seasoning.
• While the soup cooks, make the garnishes.
• Heat a heavy skillet over med-high heat.
• Add the chiles and toast on both sides, turning occasionally and pressing down with a spatula, until dry and quite dark, but not burned.
• Remove from the pan.
• When the chiles are cool enough to handle, crumble into small pieces.
• In the same skillet, heat the oil over medium heat.
• Cut the tortillas into 1/2-inch squares and fry until crisp; drain on a paper towel.
• Serve the soup very hot, garnished with some of the fried tortilla squares, a sprinkle of crumbled chiles, and some cotija cheese.

MINESTRA

Steps:

• In a deep, large, heavy pot over moderate heat, saute garlic and pancetta in extra-virgin olive oil for 3 minutes. Add onions and cook 1 or 2 minutes longer.
• Add the greens and wilt them down to fit them all in the pot. Add beans, broth, and nutmeg, salt and pepper. Cook over moderate to medium-high heat for 12 minutes, or until greens are no longer bitter. Serve with shaved cheese, bread, and good red wine.