Country Italian Bean Soup Recipes

TUSCAN BEAN SOUP

Steps:

• For the beans, Cut the pancetta into 1 inch thick slices, 2 inches long.
• In a large stock pot, cook the pancetta over medium heat until golden brown in color, then add the quartered onion, whole garlic cloves, and cook a couple of minutes in the oil rendered from the pancetta.
• Add the beans (drained), bay leaf, and 12 cups of water to the pot and bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer, and cook for about an hour and a half, or until the beans are almost tender.
• Remove from the heat, cover and let site 30 minutes.
• Drain the beans reserving the cooking water, and remove the bay leaf, onion, and garlic cloves.
• For the soup, heat the oil in the stock pot, and once hot add the onions, celery and carrots and cook until the onions are soft and translucent.
• Add the garlic, and cook until fragrant, then add the cooked beans, rosemary sprig, and 5 cups of the cooking liquid.
• Cook on low for 20 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
• Remove the rosemary sprig and discard.
• Remove 1/3 of the bean mixture and pulse in a food processor until creamy.
• Alternately, you could use a wand blender and blend part of the beans.
• Return the pureed beans to the pot, and mix.
• Serve the soup in bowls, with a drizzle of the extra virgin olive oil, and sprinkling of cracked black pepper on each.
• Sprinkle a little fresh herbs just before serving.

ITALIAN BEAN SOUP

Steps:

• Brown sausage and onion in a large pot until no pink remains. Drain any fat.
• Add remaining ingredients and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 15 minutes or until carrot is tender and flavors have blended.
• Discard bay leaf and serve.
• Garnish with parmesan cheese and parsley if desired.

COUNTRY BEAN SOUP

Steps:

• Sort beans, peas and lentils; combine in a large bowl. Divide into four equal batches, 2 cups each. Store in airtight containers in a cool, dry place for up to 6 months. Yield: 4 batches., To make one batch of soup: Rinse bean mixture with cold water. Place in a large saucepan; add water to cover by 2 in. Bring to a boil; boil for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat; cover and let soak for 1-4 hours or until beans are softened., Drain and rinse bean mixture, discarding liquid. Return bean mixture to pan; add remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 3 hours or until beans are tender. Remove ham hock; cut meat into bite-size pieces and return to pan. Heat through.

COUNTRY ITALIAN SOUP

Steps:

• In a Dutch oven over medium heat, cook the sausage, onion and celery until meat is no longer pink; drain. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer., Add the water, potatoes, tomatoes, carrots and seasonings. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15 minutes. Stir in zucchini; simmer 8-10 minutes longer or until vegetables are tender. Discard bay leaf.

ITALIAN BEAN SOUP

Steps:

• In a Dutch oven, saute the onion, potato and celery in oil until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in the broth, beans, tomatoes, parsley and pesto. Bring to a boil. Stir in pasta. Reduce heat; cover and simmer until pasta is tender, 10-15 minutes. , Add spinach and cook just until wilted. Sprinkle each serving with cheese.

COUNTRY ITALIAN BEAN SOUP

Steps:

• Cook bacon in large saucepan over medium-high heat, 3 minutes or until crisp; drain. Add onion; cook 3 minutes or until soft. Add chicken broth, crushed tomatoes, olives, pepper, beans, and diced tomatoes. Bring to boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 10 minutes. Add shrimp; cook 3 minutes or until shrimp turn pink. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese, if desired.

COUNTRY BEAN SOUP

Steps:

• Wash beans and place in large kettle.
• Cover with water and soak overnight.
• Drain beans.
• Add water and ham or pork hocks.
• Bring to a boil and simmer slowly at least 3 hours.
• Add remaining ingredients and simmer one hour.
• Remove bones and any large pieces of fat and if there are large chunks of meat, shred them and return them to the pot.