Soup With Lentils And Ditalini Pasta Recipes

PASTA AND LENTIL SOUP

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic and red pepper flakes and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is slightly soft, about 2 minutes. Remove 1 tablespoon of the flavored oil and set aside. Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring, 2 more minutes. Add the chicken broth, 4 cups water and the cheese rind, if using. Bring to a boil, then add the pasta and cook, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes. Add the lentils along with the liquid from one of the cans; reduce the heat to medium low and simmer until the pasta is tender, 10 to 12 more minutes. Meanwhile, whisk 1 tablespoon parsley and 1 tablespoon water into the reserved flavored oil. Stir 1/4 cup parmesan and the remaining parsley into the soup; remove the cheese rind (if using) and add salt to taste. Ladle into bowls; drizzle with the flavored oil and top with the remaining 1/4 cup parmesan. Serve with bread, if desired.

LENTIL SOUP WITH DITALINI (AKA, NEW YEAR'S SOUP)

Steps:

• Sautee pancetta (or ham) in olive oil over medium heat for a few minutes till it browns lightly.
• Add onion, celery and carrots, salt and pepper, and sautee till softened. Add garlic. Stir & continue cooking for a minute or two.
• Add lentils, herbs & salt and pepper, stir, and add about 6 cups of water. Bring to a boil and partially cover, then lower heat to the lowest simmer possible. Allow to simmer quietly & peacefully for 40-50 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Meanwhile, in a separate pot, cook ditalini according to box directions until al dente. Drain.
• Add diced tomatoes to soup, stir and continue cooking for about 10 minutes.
• Stir in cooked pasta to soup.
• Ladel soup into bowls, drizzle a little olive oil over the top, sprinkle some fresh cracked black pepper, and parmesean cheese. Eat it up with some crusty bread!

SOUP WITH LENTILS AND DITALINI PASTA

Steps:

• Heat the broth with the additional 2 cups of water to a boil. Stir in the salt, several grinds of pepper, and the rinsed lentils. Return to a gentle boil, and cook, covered, for 35 to 40 minutes, until the lentils are tender-add more hot water as needed.
• Taste, and add more salt to balance the pasta: stir in the ditalini and cook for 12 minutes or more, until the pasta is to your liking. Add hot water to thin the soup too, if necessary. Adjust the seasoning one last time, and serve right away in warm bowls, with freshly grated cheese, extra-virgin olive oil, and other garnishes (see page 60).