Giadas House Soup Recipes

WHITE BEAN AND ESCAROLE SOUP

Steps:

• Heat a medium Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil to the pan along with the onion, celery, carrot and garlic. Season with the salt and cook, stirring often for about 4 minutes, or until fragrant and soft. Add the red pepper flakes, if using, and cannellini beans and stir to combine.
• Add the broth and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium to maintain a gentle simmer and cook for 5 minutes. Add the escarole and stir to wilt. Cook an additional 5 minutes. Serve topped with a drizzle of the remaining olive oil, fennel pollen and Parmigiano-Reggiano, if using.

CREAMY TOMATO SOUP

Steps:

• Heat a 3-quart Dutch oven over medium heat. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil and the carrots, celery, onion and 1 teaspoon salt. Stir with a wooden spoon and cook until the vegetables begin to soften, about 4 minutes. Add the cherry tomatoes and chicken stock and stir to combine. Nestle the Parmesan rind and basil in the soup and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to maintain a gentle simmer and cook, stirring often to prevent the rind from sticking to the bottom of the pan, for about 25 minutes.
• Remove the basil and Parmesan rind and discard. Stir in the mascarpone, the remaining tablespoon of olive oil and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Puree the soup until smooth with a stick blender. Serve topped with crumbled bacon.

ITALIAN VEGETABLE SOUP

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a heavy large pot over medium heat. Add the leeks and saute until translucent, about 8 minutes. Add the garlic and saute until tender, about 2 minutes. Stir in the zucchini and artichokes. Season the vegetables with salt and pepper. Saute until the zucchini are tender, about 10 minutes. Add the vegetable broth. Stir in the thyme and cook for 2 minutes. Cover the pot and bring the soup to a simmer. Decrease the heat to medium-low and simmer gently until the flavors develop, stirring occasionally, about 20 minutes. Increase the heat to medium-high. Add the noodles and cook until al dente, stirring constantly, about 5 minutes.
• Ladle the soup into bowls. Sprinkle with Parmesan and serve.

ASPARAGUS SOUP WITH HERBED GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• Goat cheese: Line a small baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
• Using a fork, in a small bowl, combine the goat cheese and basil until smooth. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Using a 1/2-ounce cookie scoop or a round tablespoon measure sprayed with vegetable oil cooking spray, scoop the goat cheese into balls and arrange on the prepared baking sheet. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• Soup: In a Dutch oven or large saucepan, heat the butter over medium heat. Add the leeks and cook, stirring constantly until softened, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add the broth, asparagus and basil. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Increase the heat to high and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook until the asparagus is tender, about 15 minutes. Using an immersion blender, blend the soup until smooth. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Keep the soup warm over low heat.
• To serve: Ladle the soup into shallow bowls and garnish with the herbed goat cheese.
• Cook's Note: The soup can also be pureed by ladling, in batches, into a food processor or blender and blended until smooth.

GIADA'S "HOUSE" SOUP

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add the leek, chopped carrot and fennel and season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and the pepper flakes. Saute slowly until the vegetables are very soft but not browned, about 3 minutes.
• Add the white beans and farro and toast for a minute or two, then add the tomatoes with their juices and the chicken stock, thyme, parmesan rind and 4 cups water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a steady simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, about 1 1/2 hours, or until the beans are tender but not mushy; they should be firm and separate. Season with salt.
• Add the kielbasa, kale and sliced carrot. Cook until the kale and carrot are tender, about 15 minutes. Remove and discard the thyme sprigs and parmesan rind. Serve with a drizzle of olive oil, a sprinkle of grated parmesan and a squeeze of lemon, if you like.