Three Bean Ribollita Recipes

PRESSURE-COOKER THREE-BEAN RIBOLLITA

Steps:

• Heat a 6- to 8-quart stovetop pressure cooker over medium-high, or set an electric pressure cooker to saute. Add bacon and cook, stirring occasionally, until crisp, about 6 minutes. With a slotted spoon, transfer bacon to a paper-towel-lined plate. Add onion and garlic to pressure cooker, and cook until softened, 6 to 8 minutes. Add beans, carrots, celery, chicken stock, and the water. Season with salt and pepper.
• Stovetop:Secure lid. Bring to high pressure over medium-high heat; reduce heat to maintain pressure and cook for 50 minutes. Remove from heat, quickly release heat (loosely cover vent with a clean kitchen towel), then remove lid. Let stand 10 minutes. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Electric: Secure lid. Manually set cooker to 30 minutes and let it come to pressure. Once time is complete, turn off, quickly release pressure (loosely cover vent with a clean kitchen towel), then remove lid. Let stand 10 minutes. Bring to a simmer using the saute function.
• Add cabbage and rosemary, and cook, stirring, until cabbage is tender, 5 to 10 minutes. Stir in bread and simmer until bread has softened and begins to break down, about 2 minutes. Stir in reserved bacon, and season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with cheese and drizzle with oil, if desired, and serve immediately.
• Remove cover, and stir in bread. Simmer soup until bread has softened and begins to break down, about 5 minutes. Stir in the reserved bacon; adjust the seasoning if necessary. Serve drizzled with extra-virgin olive oil, and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, if desired.

RIBOLLITA (TUSCAN BEAN SOUP)

Steps:

• Make the Lemon Garlic Rosemary Oil - place all ingredients in a small jar or bowl and let sit on the counter (or make the day before, refrigerating)
• In a large, heavy-bottom pot or dutch oven, heat oil over medium heat. Add onions and optional pancetta and saute 6-8 minutes.
• Lower heat to med-low and add the carrots, fennel (or celery) and garlic, salt, pepper and chili flakes, and cook another 7- 9 minutes until vegetables are tender.
• Add the tomatoes and lacinato kale, and a splash of white wine, and continue sauteing and stirring occasionally for 7-8 minutes.
• Add the stock and beans. Bring to soup to boil, turn heat down and simmer for 15 minutes.(You could add a Parmesan rind to the simmering soup for extra depth of flavor.)
• Stir in fresh Italian Parsley. Adjust salt if necessary.
• Serve in bowls with a drizzle of the flavorful lemon oil, grated Parmesan ( or Romano) and crusty bread.

RUSTIC RIBOLLITA (TUSCAN WHITE BEAN SOUP)

Steps:

• Chop all the produce.
• Set a large 7-8 quart saucepot over medium heat. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil to the pot. Add in the onions, carrots, celery, and garlic. Generously season with salt and pepper. Sauté the veggies for 10 minutes, stirring regularly.
• Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Set out a rimmed baking sheet. Tear the bread (sliced or unsliced) into chunks and place on the baking sheet. Drizzle with 2 tablespoon olive oil and toss well. Then spread the bread chunks out in an even layer. Toast in the oven for 8-10 minutes, flipping once. Set aside.
• To the soup pot, add in the vegetable broth, tomatoes, cannellini beans, parmesan, anchovy paste, oregano, bay leaf, and crushed red pepper.
• Partially cover the pot and simmer for 25-30 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes. Turn the heat down to medium-low if needed. (If the soup base starts to thicken too much, feel free to add in 1-3 cups of water.)
• Add in the chopped kale and toasted bread pieces. Stir well and simmer another 5 minutes, until the bread disintegrates into the broth. The texture should be thick like a stew. Taste, then salt and pepper as needed. Serve warm.

TUSCAN-STYLE RIBOLLITA

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large saucepan or flameproof casserole over a medium heat and fry the onion, celery and carrot with a pinch of salt for 15 mins until soft. Add the garlic and chilli flakes, and cook for 1 min.
• Stir in the rosemary sprig, tomatoes, stock, beans and parmesan rind, if using, and bring to a simmer. Add the cavolo and cook, covered, for 10 mins. Stir through the bread and cook for several minutes more to warm through, then add the vinegar and season. Spoon into bowls, drizzle with a little more oil and sprinkle with the basil, if using, and the grated cheese.