Tommy Lasordas Minestra E Fagioli Recipes

TOMMY LASORDA'S MINESTRA E FAGIOLI

Steps:

• Soak the dried beans in water overnight. Drain.
• Blanch the escarole in lightly salted boiling water for three minutes. Drain and chop coarsely.
• Heat the olive oil in a heavy pot over medium heat and saute the garlic until golden. Add the pepperoni, parsley and oregano and saute for one minute.
• Add the beans, the escarole and three-quarters cup of water. (If using canned beans, add the beans to the pot 10 minutes before the end of the cooking time.) Season with salt and pepper. Cover and cook over medium heat for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add one or more tablespoons of water during the cooking, if necessary.

MINESTRA DI FAGIOLI (BEAN SOUP)

Steps:

• Put the onion, garlic, and celery in a 5qt pot.
• Pour extra virgin oil over them, toss with a wooden spoon to coat with the oil, and place over low heat.
• cook, stirring occasionally for 10 minutes or until onions are tender Add the Tuscan kale, cabbage, kale or swiss chard, cabbage, carrots, squash, potato, fresh herbs and broth or water and bring to a simmer Cook the soup, stirring occasionally for 1 hour over low heat.
• Remove the rosemary sprig and the bay leaf.
• Add salt and pepper to tast.
• Puree 5 cups of vegies from the soup with 1 cup of beans in a food processor.
• Return the puree to the soup Place 1 slice of toasted bread in each soup bowl and ladle soup over bread.
• Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and serve.

PASTA FAGIOLI

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Cook celery, onion, garlic, parsley, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, and salt in the hot oil until onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in chicken broth, tomatoes and tomato sauce, and simmer on low for 15 to 20 minutes.
• Add pasta and cook 10 minutes, until pasta is tender.
• Add undrained beans and mix well. Heat through. Serve with grated Parmesan cheese sprinkled on top.