Hearty Minestrone Soup – A Bowl of Comfort
This comforting Minestrone Soup is a hearty blend of seasonal vegetables, beans, and pasta simmered in a rich tomato broth. Perfect for any time of the year, including chilly days, it's easily adaptable—add or substitute ingredients based on what's in your pantry. The flavors deepen over time, making leftovers even more delicious. Serve with crusty artisan bread or fluffy focaccia for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Ingredients:
- 1 tbs olive oil
- 1 l water
- 1 beef stock cube
- 150 g bacon diced
- 200 g smoked ham diced
- 1 leek rinsed and sliced
- 1 large garlic clove minced
- 2 carrots diced
- 1 can 400 g crushed tomatoes
- 2 tbl tomato paste
- 1 red bell pepper diced
- 100 g fresh button mushrooms sliced
- 400 g a can of kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- ½ dl approx. 3 tablespoons small pasta (e.g., ditalini)
- 2 tbl white wine vinegar
- 1 dl dry white wine
- 1.5 tsp sugar
- 3 tbl fresh marjoram or flat-leaf parsley chopped
- 1 tbl dried oregano
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Grated Parmesan cheese for serving
Instructions
Instructions:
- In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the tomato paste and stir for a minute to enhance its flavor.
- Pour in the white wine and white wine vinegar, allowing them to simmer briefly.
- Add the water, can of crushed tomatoes, beef stock cube, and dried oregano. Bring the mixture to a boil.
- In a separate pan, cook the diced bacon until crispy. Remove and set aside.
- In the bacon fat (or olive oil for a lighter option), sauté the sliced leek, minced garlic, and diced carrots until they begin to soften.
- Transfer the sautéed vegetables to the soup pot.
- Add the diced red bell pepper, sliced mushrooms, and smoked ham to the pot.
- Stir in the small pasta and let the soup simmer for about 8 minutes, or until the pasta is nearly cooked.
- Add the kidney beans and continue to simmer for a few more minutes.
- Stir in the sugar and season with freshly ground black pepper. Taste and adjust salt as needed.
- Check that the vegetables and pasta are tender.
- Serve the soup hot, garnished with chopped fresh marjoram or parsley and a generous sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese.
Notes
This minestrone is a versatile dish that warms the heart and soul. Feel free to adjust the ingredients based on what's in your pantry or to suit your family's preferences. Enjoy this comforting bowl of goodness with a slice of crusty artisan-style bread or try my Perfectly Fluffy Focaccia for a delightful pairing.