Mamas Hearty Minestrone Recipes

SIMPLE ITALIAN MINESTRONE SOUP

Steps:

• In a large Dutch oven, heat the extra virgin olive oil over medium heat until shimmering but not smoking. Add onions, carrots and celery. Raise heat to medium-high, if you need to, and cook, tossing regularly, until the veggies soften a bit (about 5 minutes or so). Add the garlic and cook another minute, tossing regularly.
• Add the zucchini or yellow squash and green beans. Season with paprika, rosemary, and a generous pinch of kosher salt and pepper. Toss to combine.
• Now add the crushed tomatoes, broth, fresh thyme, bay leaf and Parmesan rind (if using.) Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer and partially cover the pot. Let simmer for about 20 minutes or so.
• Uncover the pot and add the kidney beans. Cook for another 5 to 10 minutes.
• Finally, Stir in the parsley and fresh basil. And, if serving immediately, stir in the cooked pasta and simmer ever so briefly till the pasta is warmed through; do not overcook. (See Cook's Tip #2)
• Remove the cheese rind and bay leaf. Taste and adjust seasoning to your liking. Serve the minestrone hot in dinner bowls with a sprinkle of grated Parmesan (optional.)

MAMA KATHY'S MINESTRONE

Steps:

• Place the beef, onion, and garlic in a skillet over medium heat. Cook until beef is evenly brown and onion is tender. Drain grease.
• Transfer beef, onion, and garlic to a large pot. Mix in tomatoes, tomato sauce, water, peas, carrots, spinach, bouillon cube, and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, and cook 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Add more water or tomato sauce as needed.
• Stir macaroni into the soup. Season with Italian seasoning. Continue cooking 10 minutes, or until macaroni is tender.

HEARTY MINESTRONE SOUP

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, cook the sausage until no longer pink. Remove with a slotted spoon to paper towel to drain, reserving 1 tablespoon of drippings. Saute celery and onion in drippings for 5 minutes. Add sausage and remaining ingredients; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 20-30 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.

MINESTRONE SOUP I

Steps:

• Melt butter or margarine in a heavy pot over medium heat. Add onion, celery, and carrots; saute for a few minutes.
• Add beans, cabbage, tomatoes, tomato paste, potato, stock, garlic, parsley, and salt to the pot. Bring to a boil, cover, and reduce heat. Simmer for approximately 1 hour until vegetables are barely tender.
• Add pasta, and simmer for 30 minutes more. Correct seasoning, and serve hot with grated cheese.