Swiss Chard Minestrone With White Beans Recipes

SAUTEED SWISS CHARD AND BEANS

Steps:

• Wash Swiss chard to remove dirt and sand
• Remove stems from the leaves.
• Cut stems into 1 inch pieces and parboil JUST the stems in acidulated water (1 quart water with 2 Tablespoons lemon juice added) for 3 to 5 minutes; drain.
• Cut the chard leaves into 1 inch strips. Cook JUST the leaves in a skillet over medium heat for 3 to 5 minutes in the water that clings to the leaves. Once leaves are wilted, remove from pan and set aside.
• In a large skillet over medium heat; add olive oil. Saute parboiled stems until tender, approximately 5 minutes.
• Add drained and rinsed cannellini beans and garlic; stirring constantly for 30 seconds (be careful not to burn garlic).
• Add wilted Swiss chard leaves to the mixture. Season with salt and pepper.
• Serve hot. An additional drizzle of olive oil and grated Parmesan cheese are optional toppings.

CHEF JOHN'S MINESTRONE SOUP

Steps:

• Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in large stock pot over medium-high heat. Add pancetta; cook and stir until it begins to brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in onions and celery; cook and stir until onions start to turn translucent, about 3 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for another minute.
• Pour chicken broth, water, and plum tomatoes into the pancetta and onion mixture. Bring to a simmer.
• Stir cranberry beans, cabbage, garbanzo beans, red pepper flakes, Italian seasoning, and 2 teaspoons salt into broth mixture. Bring to a simmer and cook until cranberry beans are tender, adding more water as needed if the soup becomes too thick, about 45 minutes.
• Stir in Swiss chard and simmer until softened, about 15 minutes. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
• Stir in pasta and increase heat to medium-high and simmer until pasta is tender, about 15 minutes. Ladle into bowls and top with extra virgin olive oil, Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, and Italian parsley.

SWISS CHARD AND WHITE BEAN MINESTRONE

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for 4-5 minutes to soften. Add the swiss chard and cook for 5 minutes, stirring often until softened. Add the stock and beans and gently bring to a boil. Season with sea salt and black pepper.
• Toast the ciabatta until golden on both sides. Rub the toasted bread with the cut sides of the garlic, then place each one in a serving bowl. Drizzle each piece of bread with olive oil and ladle soup over the bread. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese and serve immediately.

WHITE BEAN-CHARD SOUP

Steps:

• Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a medium pot over medium-high heat. Add the onion, celery and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and cook until the vegetables are golden brown, about 5 minutes. Add the beans and broth, bring to a simmer and cook 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat the remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the roasted peppers, minced garlic and cilantro and cook until the garlic is soft, about 2 minutes. Stir in the chard, cover and cook until wilted, 1 to 2 minutes. Scrape the contents of the skillet into the pot and simmer until heated through, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
• Toast the bread, then rub with the whole garlic clove. Serve the soup with the bread and lemon wedges, if desired.

SWISS CHARD AND CHICKPEA MINESTRONE

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil over medium-low heat in a large, heavy soup pot or Dutch oven. Add the onion, carrots and celery. Cook, stirring, until beginning to soften, about three minutes. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt and the leek. Continue to cook, stirring often, until tender, about three minutes. Add the garlic, stir for about a minute, and then stir in the water, tomato paste and the bouquet garni. Bring to a simmer. Add salt to taste, reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer 30 minutes. Stir in the chickpeas. Taste and adjust salt. Remove the bouquet garni.
• Add the Swiss chard and the pasta to the soup, bring back to a simmer, and simmer another 10 minutes or until the pasta is cooked al dente. Grind in some pepper, taste and adjust seasonings. It should be savory and rich-tasting. Serve in wide soup bowls, with a sprinkling of Parmesan over the top.

THE RIVER CAFE'S WINTER MINESTRONE

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan and slowly fry the carrots, onion and celery until soft and dark. This will take about 20 minutes but it's worth it - the slow cooking gives a lovely taste. Add the garlic, chard stalks and half the parsley, and stir to prevent sticking. Stir in the tomatoes and cook for 10 minutes or until reduced.
• Add half the Swiss chard leaves, half the cavolo nero, three-quarters of the beans, and the boiling stock. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat. Simmer for 30 minutes. Pour in more stock if needed - don't add too much - it should be thick.
• Add the remaining Swiss chard and cavolo nero and blanch briefly so they remain green and crisp. Season when slightly cooled.
• Purée the remaining cannellini beans coarsely in a blender with some of the cooking liquid. Add to the soup - it should be very green. Stir in the herbs and serve hot with Parmesan and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.

WHITE BEAN MINESTRONE

Steps:

• Cook onion, celery, and carrots in oil, over med-high heat in a large saucepan, stirring occasionally for about 4 minutes.
• Add 2 cups water plus all remaining ingredients, except for cheese.
• Cover and let boil, reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender.
• Sprinkle Parmesan on top and serve.

SWISS CHARD BEAN SOUP

Steps:

• In a Dutch oven , saute the carrot, zucchini, yellow squash and onion in oil until tender. Add garlic; saute 1 minute longer. Add the broth, Swiss chard, beans, tomatoes, thyme, salt, oregano and pepper. , Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes or until chard is tender. Just before serving, sprinkle with cheese.