Best Minestra Recipes

MINESTRA

Steps:

• In a deep, large, heavy pot over moderate heat, saute garlic and pancetta in extra-virgin olive oil for 3 minutes. Add onions and cook 1 or 2 minutes longer.
• Add the greens and wilt them down to fit them all in the pot. Add beans, broth, and nutmeg, salt and pepper. Cook over moderate to medium-high heat for 12 minutes, or until greens are no longer bitter. Serve with shaved cheese, bread, and good red wine.

MINESTRA

Steps:

• In a soup pot over medium heat, heat the oil.
• Cook garlic, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes.
• Add salami (or pepperoni) and cook, stirring often, for 5 minutes or until it begins to render its fat.
• Add the chicken stock and cheese rind (if using).
• Simmer for 15 minutes.
• In a bowl with a fork, mash about 1 cup of the beans, set aside.
• Meanwhile, in a steamer over boiling water, steam the escarole and other greens for 15 minutes.
• Add the escarole, red pepper, and cannellini beans (mashed and whole) to the pot.
• Cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 20 minutes.
• Add the spinach and cook 5 minutes more or until it wilts.
• Remove the cheese rind,(if using).
• Taste the soup for seasoning and add more dalt and pepper, if needed.
• Ladel into bowls and sprinkle with Parmesan.

MINESTRA (ESCAROLE AND LITTLE MEATBALLS SOUP)

Steps:

• Trim the escarole and discard any bruised leaves. Cut off the stem ends. Seperate the leaves and wash well in cool water, especially the center of the leaves where soil collects. Stack the leaves and cut them crosswise into 1 inch strips. You should have about 4 cups.
• In a large pot, combine the escarole, broth, carrots. Bring to a simmer and cook until the escarole is almost tender, about 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, mix together the ingredients for the meatballs. Shape the mixture into tiny meatballs, less than 1 inch in diameter.
• When the escarole is cooked, stir in the pasta and return the soup to a simmer. Drop the meatballs into the soup. Cook over low heat, stirring gently, until the meatballs and pasta are cooked, about 20 minutes. Taste for seasoning. At this point I drizzle in one mixed egg and stir. It makes pretty egg flower strings throughout the soup.
• Top with grated Parmesan and serve hot.

MALTESE KUSKSU MINESTRA SOUP

Steps:

• 1. Saute the celery, onion, and garlic in oil until softened in the bottom of a Dutch oven.
• 2. Add the bay leaf, zucchini, bell pepper, pumpkin/butternut squash, broth, diced tomatoes with liquid, tomato sauce and seasonings.
• 3. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, for ten minutes.
• 4. Stir in the couscous and chickpeas and cook for ten minutes more, stirring occasionally, until the couscous is tender.
• 5. Stir in the parsley before serving and serve topped with a generous pinch of Parmesan cheese.

MINESTRA MARITATA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add dandelion greens and cook until wilted, about 3 minutes. Using a slotted spoon or a wire skimmer, transfer greens to a colander to drain. Add rapini to boiling water and cook until soft, 3 to 5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon or a wire skimmer, transfer rapini to a colander to drain. Add cabbage to boiling water and cook until wilted, about 3 minutes. Drain and set greens aside.
• In a large, heavy-bottomed pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add celery, garlic, bay leaf, and red-pepper flakes. Cook, stirring occasionally, until celery and garlic are soft and translucent, about 3 minutes. Add pancetta and cook, stirring occasionally until lightly browned and crisp, about 3 minutes. Stir in greens and both brodos. Let simmer until greens are tender, about 10 minutes; season with salt and pepper. Add meatballs during the last 5 minutes of cooking, if desired.
• Ladle soup into warmed bowls; drizzle with olive oil and serve immediately.

MY MY MY MINESTRA - ITALIAN VEGETABLE SOUP WITH PASTA

Steps:

• Heat oil in large heavy pan and fry vegetable strips until just browning, stirring occasionally. Pour on water, season to taste with salt and pepper, and let simmer for 30 minutes.
• Add tomatoes, garlic, macaroni, parsley and rosemary to the soup, and simmer for a further 10 minutes. Adjust seasoning to taste.
• Serve with grated Parmesan cheese if desired.

MINI MEATBALL MINESTRA AND GRILLED PROVOLONE

Steps:

• In a heavy bottomed soup pot heat olive oil over medium to medium-high heat. Add pancetta and cook until crisp, 2 to 3 minutes. Add onions and 2 cloves of garlic and saute 4 to 5 minutes then add the escarole and wilt. Season with salt, pepper and nutmeg. Stir in beans, add stock and water and bring to boil.
• While stock comes to a boil, combine meat, egg, bread crumbs, milk, a handful of cheese, fennel, allspice, parsley, salt and pepper. Combine and roll into 1-inch balls, and add to the soup. Cook 2 minutes then add in pasta and cook 6 minutes more. Turn off the heat, garnish with lemon zest and serve with cheese passed at the table.

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.

MINI MEATBALL MINESTRA

Steps:

• In a heavy bottomed soup pot heat olive oil over medium to medium-high heat. Add pancetta and cook until crisp, 2 to 3 minutes. Add onions and 2 cloves of garlic and saute 4 to 5 minutes then add the escarole and wilt. Season with salt, pepper and nutmeg. Stir in beans, add stock and water and bring to boil.
• While stock comes to a boil, combine meat, egg, bread crumbs, milk, a handful of cheese, fennel, allspice, parsley, salt and pepper. Combine and roll into 1-inch balls, and add to the soup. Cook 2 minutes then add in pasta and cook 6 minutes more.
• Turn off the heat, garnish with lemon zest and serve with cheese passed at the table.

MALTESE MINESTRA

Steps:

• 1. Wash the beans and let them soak in water for a few hours.
• 2. Chop all the vegetables roughly - rustic style. Place vegetables in a large pot, cover with water or broth and bring to a boil. Add the tomato puree along with salt and pepper.
• 3. Once boiling, reduce heat, cover and simmer for about 2 hours, stirring occasionally. Add the cauliflower or cabbage (or a little of both).
• 4. Once vegetables are cooked through, add the pasta and simmer another 10-12 mnutes. Once done, add a tbsp. of olive oil and stir it in. Serve with freshly grated parmesan cheese.

MINI SAUSAGE MEATBALL MINESTRA

Steps:

• Heat 1 tablespoon of the extra-virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Roll the sausage into walnut-sized meatballs. Drop them into the skillet and brown on all sides, then remove them to a plate.
• Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Saute the onion and garlic for 5 minutes, then add the escarole and season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg, to taste. Cook until the escarole has wilted. Add the beans and cook until heated through. Stir in the stock and bring to a boil, then add the pasta and cook to al dente.
• Return the meatballs back to the pot for the last 4 minutes of cooking. Adjust the seasonings and ladle into serving bowls. Heavily sprinkle each serving with cheese and serve with crusty bread for mopping.

ITALIAN WEDDING SOUP (MINESTRA MARITATA)

Steps:

• Place first 6 ingredients in a large pot. Bring to a boil., then immediately reduce to a simmer and cook until the chicken easily falls off the bones. Remove chicken from the broth and allow to cool. Reserve the broth. When the chicken has cooled enough to handle, remove all of the meat from the bones and chop meat into small pieces.
• While the soup is cooking, make the meatballs. Mix together the ground beef, bread crumbs, egg, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper and chopped parsley. Form into small meatballs and place on a baking pan. Bake in a 350 degree oven until fully cooked, approximately 15 minutes.
• Strain the broth used to cook the chicken. Add the remaining onion, celery, and carrots. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer and cook until vegetables are tender.
• Cook the escarole in a separate small pot of boiling salted water until wilted, about 10 minutes. Drain, squeeze dry and add to the broth. Add the cooked chicken, meatballs and cooked, drained pasta. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Heat well and serve accompanied by Parmesan cheese.

MINESTRA (ESCAROLE AND LITTLE MEATBALLS SOUP)

Steps:

• Trim and clean the escarole.
• Stack the leaves and cut them crosswise into 1 inch strips.
• You should have about 4 cups.
• In a large pot, combine the escarole, broth and carrots.
• Bring to a simmer and cook until the escarole is almost tender, about 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, mix together the meatball ingredients.
• Shape the mixture into tiny balls, less than 1 inch in diameter.
• When the escarole is cooked, stir in the pasta and return the soup to the simmer.
• Drop the meatballs into the soup.
• Cook over low heat, stirring gently, until the meatballs and pasta are cooked, about 20 minutes.
• Taste for seasoning.
• Serve hot with more grated Parmesan.

ASPARAGUS AND RICE SOUP (MINESTRA DI ASPARAGI E RISO)

Steps:

• Rinse the asparagus; snap off the tough bottom stubs.
• Slice the spears crosswise into 1/3 inch chunks, including the tips.
• Pour 1/3 cup olive oil into a large pot, drop in the crushed garlic, and set over med-high heat.
• Golden the garlic for a minute or two, just until fragrant and lightly colored, and stir the potato cubes into the hot oil.
• Cook/stir occasionally, until the potatoes are crusty and starting to stick to the bottom but not browned-lower the heat if necessary-4-5 minutes.
• Stir in the chopped leeks; cook until softened and sizzling, 3-4 minutes.
• Pour 5 quarts water into the pot; add in the bay leaves and tablespoon salt; stir well, scraping up any crusty potatoes on the bottom.
• Cover, and bring to a boil over high heat; stir in all the asparagus, return to a boil, and adjust heat to keep the broth bubbling steadily and slowly reducing.
• Cook uncovered about 1 ½ hours, stirring occasionally, until the soup volume is reduced by almost a third and the broth is full of flavor-tasting is the way to test for doneness.
• Stir in the rice and return to a boil; cook for 10 minutes, until the grains are al dente, then turn the heat off.
• Season with freshly ground black pepper, and more salt to taste.
• Stir in 2 tablespoons olive oil and ½ cup grated cheese.
• Serve immediately in warm bowls, with more cheese and oil at the table.

RUSTIC LAMB SOUP FROM FLORENCE (MINESTRA DAGNELLO)

Steps:

• Chop finely the celery, carrot and onion and sauté in 3 tablespoons of olive oil. As soon as the onion begins to change colour, add the lamb and continue to cook. After a few minutes, add the wine and allow to evaporate completely, then add the tomatoes. Continue to cook over a low heat for about one hour, then add the broth.
• Finally add the noodles and cook for a few minutes.
• Serve with freshly ground pepper.

INSTANT POT® BUCKWHEAT MINESTRA

Steps:

• Turn on a multi-functional pressure cooker (such as Instant Pot®) and select Saute function. Add oil. Cook and stir carrots, onion, bell pepper, celery, parsley, and garlic until vegetables are fragrant and onion is translucent, about 8 minutes. Turn off Saute function.
• Add buckwheat and lentils; mix to coat with the oil and vegetables. Add potatoes, zucchini, and green beans. Pour in broth; stir to mix. Close and lock the lid. Select high pressure according to manufacturer's instructions; set timer for 10 minutes. Allow 10 to 15 minutes for pressure to build.
• Release pressure using the natural-release method according to manufacturer's instructions, 10 to 40 minutes. Open lid and stir in hummus and sambal oelek. Season with salt and pepper. Divide soup among 8 bowls. Top each with 1/2 tablespoon nutritional yeast. Serve warm.

MINESTRA (CABBAGE & BEANS)

Steps:

• Wash and cut cabbage head.
• I usually quarter, then cut in half again.
• Be sure core is removed and discarded.
• In large pot, sautee garlic in hot olive oil until tender.
• Add cabbage, chicken broth, salt and pepper.
• Bring to a boil.
• Immediately reduce to a simmer and cover.
• After about 45 minutes, add beans, then re-cover pot.
• Cook until everything is heated and tender throughout and all flavors have blended.
• You can add hot pepper flakes when serving, if desired.
• We also like to drizzle a bit of fine quality olive oil on the top of our bowls before eating.
• Enjoy with good crusty bread and you have yourself a healthy meal!

MINI SAUSAGE MEATBALL MINESTRA

Steps:

• Heat 1 tablespoon of the EVOO in a large skillet. Roll the sausage into walnut-sized meatballs. Drop them into the skillet and brown on all sides, then remove. Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons EVOO in a large pot over medium heat. Sauté the onions and garlic for 5 minutes, then wilt in the escarole and season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Add the beans and heat through. Stir in the stock and bring to a boil, then add the pasta and cook to al dente. Add the meatballs back to the pot for the last 4 minutes of cooking. Adjust the seasonings and serve with cheese sprinkled heavily on top. Pass the crusty bread for mopping.

MINESTRA DI CECI (UMBRIAN CHICKPEA SOUP)

Steps:

• Soak chickpeas in full pot of cold water along with rosemary, sage, and salt. Soak overnight, then drain the next morning. Remove herbs.
• Refill slow cooker with water to 1 inch above chickpeas. Cover and cook on low 5 hours.
• Combine 7 tablespoons of olive oil and rosemary in a small saucepan over medium heat and bring just to a simmer to infuse the olive oil. Remove from heat, discard the rosemary and set aside.
• Saute garlic, carrot, onion and celery in olive oil in skillet. Season with salt and pepper, and cook until the vegetables are tender, about 4-5 minutes. Set aside.
• Puree half of the chickpeas, along with several cups of broth from the cooker, in blender. Return puree to slow cooker. Add sauteed vegetables to cooker.
• Cover. Cook on high 60 minutes.
• Serve the soup in warmed bowls with a drizzle of some of the remaining rosemary oil and sprinkle of parsley, black pepper and some grated pecorino if you wish.

WINTER MINESTRA

Steps:

• Crumble the ground beef into a large stockpot set over medium heat. Cook and stir until meat is no longer pink. Drain off excess grease and add the olive oil. Heat the oil and add the garlic and onion; cook and stir until the onion is tender. Add cauliflower, jalapenos, shallot and mushrooms. Season with salt and cook for 8 to 10 minutes to release the water from the vegetables.
• Pour in the stewed tomatoes and season with red pepper flakes. Stir aggressively to break up the tomatoes. Pour in the beef broth and mixed vegetables and bring to a simmer. Cook until frozen vegetables are tender. Taste and adjust salt and pepper before serving.