Minestrone Soup Recipe With Sausage And Fennel

MINESTRONE SOUP RECIPE WITH SAUSAGE AND FENNEL

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil over medium-low heat in a large, heavy soup pot or Dutch oven and add the fennel, onion, carrots and celery. Cook, stirring, until beginning to soften, about 3 minutes. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon of salt and garlic and cook for 1 minute.
• Add zucchini, tomatoes with juice, beans, bay leaf, thyme and the chicken stock, and bring to a simmer. Stir in 1 teaspoon of salt, taste then adjust with more as needed. Add 6 to 7 generous grinds of black pepper. Reduce heat to low and simmer about 20 minutes.
• Add pasta and cook until it is tender but not mushy, 8 to 10 minutes. Stir in spinach and parsley and cook until wilted, about 2 minutes. Taste the soup and adjust with more salt and/or pepper. Serve with parmesan cheese on top.

ITALIAN SAUSAGE AND FENNEL SOUP

Steps:

• In a 6-qt. stockpot, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium-high heat; saute sausage until lightly browned, 2-3 minutes. Remove sausage, reserving drippings in pot., In same pot, heat remaining oil over medium heat; saute fennel, carrots and onion 8 minutes. Add garlic; cook and stir 1 minute. Add potatoes, beans, broth and water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, 10 minutes., Stir in tomatoes, salt, pepper and sausage; return to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, until vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes.

MINESTRONE WITH FENNEL AND HAM

Steps:

• In a large Dutch oven or kettle cook onions, celery, carrot, garlic, and crushed red pepper in hot olive oil or cooking oil until onion is tender.
• Stir in the chicken or beef broth, undrained tomatoes, tomato juice, fennel or cabbage, and Italian seasoning. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes.
• Stir in the cannellini or great northern beans, zucchini, green beans, pasta, and prosciutto or ham. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes or until vegetables and pasta are tender.
• To serve, ladle soup into bowls; sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
• Make-Ahead Tip: Cool soup. Cover and chill up to 48 hours. Reheat over medium heat, stirring frequently.