Classic Minestrone Soup

Minestrone, a classic Italian soup, features a wide range of  vegetables, beans, and pasta. Our recipe version focuses on techniques for building great flavor in stages. The result? Deep, rich, satisfying tastes and textures without being over-cooked. You’ll find this soup highly flexible – use seasonal vegetables, or whatever you have on hand.  We think you’ll agree that this minestrone easily earns its reputation as a healthy, winter comfort food.

Comforting Minestrone Soup
Serves 4 - 6

Ingredients:
4 tablespoons olive oil
1 yellow onion, diced
3 celery stalks, dice
2 carrots, cut on the bias into slices
2 small potatoes, cut into 1/2" cubes
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tablespoon tomato paste
2 bay leaves
1 Parmesan cheese rind
1 can (28 oz) diced tomatoes
6 cups vegetable broth
1 can (15.5 oz) Great Northern beans
1 can (15.5 oz) butter beans
1 cup ditalini pasta (or other small pasta)
1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 sprigs fresh thyme
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1 cup frozen peas
3 cups chopped kale
Parmesan cheese, shaved, for serving

Directions:
1. Start by making the mirepoix. Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the onions and sauté for about 3 minutes until softened. Add the celery and carrots, and continue to cook for another 3-5 minutes, or until softened.

2. Add the potatoes and garlic and continue to cook for another 5 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste.

3. Add the bay leaves, Parmesan rind, canned tomatoes, vegetable broth, Great Northern and butter beans, ditalini pasta, salt, pepper, thyme, and red pepper flakes. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.

4. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer the soup for another 20-25 minutes. Use tongs to remove the Parmesan rind, bay leaves, and thyme stems.

5. Stir in the red wine vinegar, frozen peas, and chopped kale. Cook for one more minute, or until the kale just begins to wilt. Serve with shaved Parmesan cheese as a garnish on top.

Spicy Chickpea Soup with Ginger and Spinach

As the weather begins to shift and evenings become increasingly cooler, we find ourselves craving rich, satisfying soups. This recipes showcases the mighty chickpea with all of its nutritional power in a flavorful, hearty soup! The warm spices and coconut milk add deep flavors to this fabulous dish. We’re sure that you’ll be adding this recipe to your cool weather menu rotation.

Spicy Chickpea Soup with Ginger and Spinach
Serves 6 - 8

Ingredients:
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, plus 1 tablespoon
1 large onion, diced
3 small carrots, chopped
6 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1" piece fresh ginger, peeled and finely grated
3 cans (15.5 oz) chickpeas
1 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon cayenne
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/4 teaspoon Kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 can (14.5 oz) crushed tomatoes
1 can (14 oz) full fat coconut milk
4 cups vegetable broth
2 cups baby spinach, trimmed

Garnishes:
Plain Greek yogurt
Olive oil for drizzling on top

Serve with:
Wedges of pita bread

Directions:
1. In a large Dutch oven, heat 1/4 cup of olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and carrots and sauté until the carrot is soft and the onion is translucent, roughly 5 minutes. Add the garlic and ginger and sauté for another 5 minutes.

2. Set aside 1 cup of the chickpeas. Add the remaining chickpeas to the Dutch oven with the onion, garlic, carrot, and ginger. Add the cumin, cayenne, turmeric, and paprika and continue cooking, stirring occasionally until the chickpeas begin to brown and break down, about 5 minutes. Use a potato masher to press and mash the chickpeas until about half of them they break down. This will nicely thicken the soup.

3. Add the crushed tomatoes, coconut milk, vegetable broth, salt, and pepper. Cover and simmer ingredients for about 30 minutes, until the soup thickens and the flavors are incorporated.

4. Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a sauté pan over medium high heat. Add the reserved cup of chickpeas and cook until they begin to crisp, about 5-8 minutes, stirring occasionally to heat evenly. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper and set aside.

5. Once the soup has thickened, remove from heat and stir in the spinach. Add additional salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with Greek yogurt and a drizzle of olive oil. Sprinkle the crispy chickpeas on top of the soup, and serve with wedges of pita bread.

Roasted Garlic, Leek, and Potato Spring Soup

Perfect for a first course or a lovely lunch, this savory soup features the bold flavors of roasted garlic and tender spring leeks. The creamy texture is achieved not with cream or butter, but with Yukon gold potatoes and a powerful blender. The crispy bacon garnish adds the perfect salty crunch to each spoonful.

Serves 4

Soup Ingredients:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 bulb garlic, roasted
4 large leeks, white parts only
3 tablespoons olive oil
4 cups vegetable stock
3-4 Yukon gold large potatoes, diced (about 2 cups) Kosher Salt and pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Garnishes:
4 pieces bacon, cooked and crumbled Chives, minced

Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Cut the top off of the garlic bulb and drizzle with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Wrap the bulb in aluminum foil and place in a baking dish. Bake until the garlic is tender, golden brown, and fragrant, about 30 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, wash the leeks very well. (They are often sandy inside.) Slice the leeks into 1/4” slices.

3. In a large soup pot, sauté the sliced leeks in 3 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Cook until very tender.

4. Add the vegetable stock and the potatoes and bring to a boil. Boil until the potatoes are fork tender, about 10 minutes.

5. Remove the roasted garlic cloves from the bulb with a tiny spoon or fork. Add about 5-6 cloves, or 1/2 of the bulb to the soup. (Use the remaining roasted garlic cloves for another recipe or smear directly on toast, or freeze for later use).

6. Carefully blend the soup in batches in a blender, or use a hand blender and blend until smooth.

7. Taste the soup and season with the lemon juice, Kosher salt, and pepper.

8. Adjust seasonings or add more roasted garlic, as desired.

9. Serve warm with a garnish of bacon crumbles and chives.

Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, diced 3 cloves garlic, minced
1 jalapeño, seeded and minced
1 yellow bell pepper, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 (28oz) can diced tomatoes
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 (15oz) can of black beans
1 (15 oz) can of white beans
4 cups chicken broth
1-1/3 lb chicken breasts (2 large breasts)
4 teaspoons ground cumin
4 teaspoons chili powder
1/2 teaspoon paprika.
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1-1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
12 ounces frozen corn

Garnishes:
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
6 Green onions, sliced
Avocado, diced
cheddar cheese, grated
Sour cream

Directions:
1. In a medium skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Sauté the onion until softened about 4 minutes. Add the garlic and jalapeños, and heat for another minute.
2. Add the cooked onions, garlic, and jalapeños to a large slow cooker. Add in the peppers, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, black beans, chicken broth, corn, and chicken breasts. Season with the cumin, chili powder, paprika, oregano, Kosher salt, pepper, and fresh cilantro.
3. Cover and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours or cook on high for 1-2 hours.
4. While the soup is cooking prepare the crispy tortilla strips. Turn the oven to broil. Cut the tortillas into long, thin strips about 1/4” wide. Place on a large sheet pan, and then brush with olive oil and sprinkle with Kosher salt and pepper. Broil until the strips turn golden brown and are crispy.
5. Prepare the other garnishes by washing, slicing, chopping, and shredding. Place each topping in a bowl, cover, and keep refrigerated (as needed) until ready to serve.
6. Remove the chicken and shred with two forks. Add the frozen corn to the soup while you are shredding the chicken. Return the shredded chicken to the soup.
7. Serve warm with an array of garnishes!

Hearty Sausage-Kale Soup

A fast and healthy dinner option, this soup will satisfy on any cold weeknight. You’ll find this an easy recipe for an Italian-style soup filled with savory goodness! A family favorite of ours, this recipe is worthy repeating. Try it tonight! Serves 6.

Ingredients:
1 lb hot Italian sausage
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 leeks, white parts only, sliced
4 cloves garlic, minced
3 carrots, halved and sliced
1/2 cup dry white wine
8 cups chicken stock
6 Yukon gold potatoes, diced (about 4 cups)
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 bay leaves
1 bunch Tuscan kale, stemmed and torn

Directions:
1. In a large, heavy-bottomed soup pot, brown the sausage into 1" chunks. Once the sausage has browned, remove from the pot.
2. While the sausage is browning, prepare the vegetables.
3. Add olive oil to the pot, and then sauté the leeks until softened. Add the garlic and carrots and cook for another minute. Deglaze the pan with the white wine.
4. Add the browned sausage back to the pot along with the chicken stock, salt, pepper, and bay leaves.
5. Add the potatoes and bring to a rolling boil. Boil until the potatoes are tender (about 10-15 minutes). (Set timer to monitor progress.)
6. Season the soup with salt and pepper, to taste.
7. Add the kale leaves, and stir until just wilted.
8. Serve the soup with a side of crusty bread and olive oil, or breadsticks.