Best Winter Minestrone Recipes

WINTER MINESTRONE

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a heavy large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, celery, pancetta, and garlic. Saute until the onion is translucent, about 10 minutes. Add the Swiss chard and potato; saute for 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes and rosemary sprig. Simmer until the chard is wilted and the tomatoes break down, about 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, blend 3/4 cup of the beans with 1/4 cup of the broth in a processor until almost smooth. Add the pureed bean mixture, remaining broth, and Parmesan cheese rind to the vegetable mixture. Simmer until the potato pieces are tender, stirring occasionally, about 15 minutes. Stir in the whole beans and parsley. Simmer until the beans are heated through and the soup is thick, about 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Discard Parmesan rind and rosemary sprig (the leaves will have fallen off of the stem.)
• Ladle the soup into bowls and serve.

WINTER MINESTRONE AND GARLIC BRUSCHETTA

Steps:

• Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat in a large, heavy pot or Dutch oven. Add the pancetta and cook over medium-low heat for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned. Add the onions, carrots, celery, squash, garlic, and thyme and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for 8 to 10 minutes, until the vegetables begin to soften. Add the tomatoes, 6 cups of the chicken stock, the bay leaf, 1 tablespoon salt, and 1 1/2 teaspoons pepper to the pot. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer uncovered for 30 minutes, until the vegetables are tender. Discard the bay leaf. Add the beans and cooked pasta and heat through. The soup should be quite thick but if it's too thick, I add more chicken stock.
• Just before serving, reheat the soup, add the spinach, and toss with 2 big spoons (like tossing a salad). Cook just until the leaves are wilted. Stir in the white wine and pesto. Depending on the saltiness of the chicken stock, add another teaspoon or two of salt to taste. Serve large shallow bowls of soup with a bruschetta on top. Sprinkled with Parmesan cheese, drizzle with olive oil and serve hot.
• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Slice the baguette at a 45 degree angle in 1/2-inch-thick slices. Brush both sides of the bread with olive oil and bake for 6 minutes, until lightly toasted. Take the slices out of the oven and rub the surface of each one with the cut clove of garlic.

WINTER MINESTRONE

Steps:

• Cook pancetta, onions, celery, and carrots in oil in a wide 7-to 9-quart heavy pot over medium heat, stirring occasionally, while preparing chard.
• Cut out stems from chard and chop stems, reserving leaves. Stir chard stems into pancetta mixture with garlic, 1 teaspoon salt, and 3/4 teaspoon pepper and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are very tender and begin to stick to bottom of pot, about 45 minutes total. (Set aside chard leaves.)
• Push vegetables to one side of pot. Add tomato paste to cleared area and cook, stirring constantly, until it starts to caramelize, about 2 minutes. Stir paste into vegetables and cook, stirring, 2 minutes. (Paste may stick to pot, but don't let it burn.)
• Stir in tomatoes with their juice, breaking them up with a spoon, then add hot water (3 quarts), scraping up any brown bits from bottom of pot.
• Bring to a simmer. Stir in cabbage, escarole, and parmesan rind. Simmer, covered, until greens are tender, about 40 minutes.
• Coarsely chop chard leaves and stir into soup along with beans. Simmer, partially covered, 10 minutes. Discard rind. Season soup with salt and pepper. If using ditalini, stir in just before serving.

THE RIVER CAFE'S WINTER MINESTRONE

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan and slowly fry the carrots, onion and celery until soft and dark. This will take about 20 minutes but it's worth it - the slow cooking gives a lovely taste. Add the garlic, chard stalks and half the parsley, and stir to prevent sticking. Stir in the tomatoes and cook for 10 minutes or until reduced.
• Add half the Swiss chard leaves, half the cavolo nero, three-quarters of the beans, and the boiling stock. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat. Simmer for 30 minutes. Pour in more stock if needed - don't add too much - it should be thick.
• Add the remaining Swiss chard and cavolo nero and blanch briefly so they remain green and crisp. Season when slightly cooled.
• Purée the remaining cannellini beans coarsely in a blender with some of the cooking liquid. Add to the soup - it should be very green. Stir in the herbs and serve hot with Parmesan and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.

RED WINTER MINESTRONE WITH WINTER GREENS PESTO

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Prepare a bowl of ice water. Strip beet greens, turnip greens, and kale from their coarse stems and wash leaves well. Working in batches, cook each bunch in boiling water until bright green and slightly limp, about 1 minute. Transfer immediately to ice water and repeat with remaining greens. Discard cooking water.
• Remove greens from ice water and squeeze out as much water as possible.
• Combine greens, 2/3 cup olive oil, 2 cloves garlic, Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, and 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt in blender or food processor; blend until smooth. Transfer pesto to a bowl and cover surface with plastic wrap.
• Heat 1/4 cup olive oil in large pot over medium-high heat. Stir in onion, grated tomato, 4 cloves minced garlic, rosemary, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, bay leaf, and chili flakes. Cook, stirring frequently, for 5 minutes; reduce heat to low. Continue cooking and stirring until vegetables are a deep golden brown, 20 to 30 minutes.
• Pour remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil over onion mixture. Stir in leek, carrot, turnips, and beets. Increase heat to medium-high and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes.
• Pour white wine over vegetable mixture and scrape browned bits off the bottom of the pot. Mix cannellini beans and green beans into vegetable mixture; pour in 5 cups water. Bring liquid to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer until green beans are tender, about 5 minutes more. Stir in parsley and lemon juice.
• Divide soup among heated bowls and serve with a generous dollop of the winter greens pesto.

WINTER MINESTRONE WITH PESTO CROûTES

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large pan, add the onion and lardons or bacon and fry for about 5 mins until the onion is starting to brown. Tip in the carrots, celery, potato and garlic, stir well and cook for a few minutes.
• Add the tomatoes, stock and sage, and bring to the boil, stirring. Reduce heat to simmer and cook partly covered for 30 mins, stirring in the cabbage after 15 mins. Drain and rinse the beans and add to the pan with the parsley. Season and serve with pesto croûtes, see right, or crusty bread.
• For the pesto croûtes: Cut 3-4 slices of crusty bread into chunks, about 2cm thick. Tip into an ovenproof pan. Mix the olive oil and pesto, then add to the bread, tossing it with your hands until the croûtes are evenly coated. Bake in a moderate oven for about 10 mins until crisp.

MINESTRONE WITH GIANT WHITE BEANS AND WINTER SQUASH

Steps:

• First simmer beans. Drain soaked beans and place in a large saucepan with 2 quarts water, halved onion, crushed garlic and bay leaf. Bring to a gentle boil, reduce heat and simmer 45 minutes. Add salt to taste (I usually use 1 teaspoon salt per quart of water) and continue to simmer another 30 minutes. Beans should be almost tender. Remove from heat and use tongs to remove and discard onion half, garlic cloves and bay leaf.
• While beans are simmering you can make tomato base. Heat olive oil over medium heat in a heavy soup pot or Dutch oven, and add onion, carrot and celery. Add a pinch of salt and cook, stirring, until vegetables are just about tender, about 5 minutes, and add parsley and leeks. Cook, stirring, until leeks are slightly wilted, about 3 minutes, and stir in garlic along with another generous pinch of salt. Cook, stirring, just until the garlic smells fragrant, 30 seconds to a minute, and stir in tomatoes with their juice and salt to taste. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring often, for about 10 minutes, until tomatoes have cooked down somewhat and smell fragrant. Remove from heat until beans are ready.
• Add beans and their broth to tomato base, stir together, add bouquet garni and bring to a simmer. Cover and simmer over low heat for 30 minutes. Add winter squash and continue to simmer for another 30 to 45 minutes, until squash and beans are very tender. Taste, adjust salt, and add freshly ground pepper to taste.
• Just before serving heat through and stir in a generous handful of chopped fresh parsley or basil, or a mix of the two. Serve, topping each bowl with freshly grated Parmesan.

CROCK POT WINTER MINESTRONE SOUP

Steps:

• Cube the squash, potatoes and fennel all about the same size.
• Brown and drain the sausage.
• Put all the vegetables, (except spinach) beans and seasonings into a 5--6 quart crock pot. Top with the sausage. Pour liquids over all.
• Cover and cook on low 8-9 hours or on high 4-5 hours.
• Stir in spinach and cook another 5 minutes, covered.

VEGETARIAN MINESTRONE SOUP FOR THE WINTER (VEGAN-FRIENDLY!)

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat, add the onion and garlic and cook until the onion is soft and translucent.
• Slightly lower the heat. Add the tomatoes, sage, and flat-leaf parsley and cover. Cook for 5 minutes.
• Pour in the vegetable stock. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, cover, and let simmer for 30 minutes.
• Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Add the macaroni, carrot, celery, and northern beans and simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until the macaroni is somewhat tender.
• Stir in the peas and cook for another 5 minutes.
• Stir in the parmesan cheese.
• If serving with bread like hunks of garlic bread or ciabattas, place the bread in individual serving bowls and let stand for a few minutes and serve with plenty of extra parmesan cheese.
• I thought it went nice with some fresh-baked garlic bread!

MINESTRONE WITH WINTER GREENS

Steps:

• Heat a large pot over medium-high. Add oil and garlic; cook, stirring occasionally, until garlic is golden, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in tomato paste; cook, stirring, 1 minute. Add beans and wine; simmer, stirring occasionally, until liquid has thickened and wine has almost evaporated, about 4 minutes. Add 8 cups water, sage, and cheese; season with salt and black pepper. Simmer, partially covered, over medium-low 25 minutes.
• Bring soup to a boil, stir in pasta, and cook until al dente according to package instructions, stirring occasionally. Add chicory; cook, stirring, just until wilted, about 1 minute. Serve, topped with grated cheese and red-pepper flakes.

WINTER MINESTRONE

Steps:

• Place beans in a medium bowl. Add enough cold water to cover by 2 inches. Let soak overnight. Drain, and set aside.
• In a large pot, combine 8 cups of water, drained beans, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, and cook, partially covered, until beans are almost tender, about 1 hour.
• In a medium saute pan, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, carrot, celery, rosemary, and 2 teaspoons thyme. Cook, covered, until onions begin to soften, about 10 minutes. Stir in tomatoes, and bring to a simmer. Cook for 2 minutes. Add vegetable mixture to beans.
• Stir in squash, potato, kale, cheese rind, salt, and pepper. Add enough water to just cover (about 6 cups), and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, and cook, covered, until potatoes and beans are tender, about 25 minutes.
• If desired, to thicken the soup, use the back of a spoon to mash about 2 cups of beans, squash, and potato against the side of the pot. Add sage, remaining teaspoon of thyme, and crushed red pepper. Taste, and adjust for seasoning. Garnish with grated cheese and a drizzle of olive oil, if desired. Serve immediately.

WINTER MINESTRONE - GIADA DE LAURENTIIS

Steps:

• 1. Heat oil in heavy lg. pot over Med. Add onion, carrots, celery, pancetta, and garlic. Saute until onion is translucent, about 10 min. Add Swiss chard and potato; saute for 2 min. Add tomatoes and rosemary. Simmer until the chard is wilted and tomatoes break down, about 10 min. 2. Meanwhile, blend 3/4 c. beans with 1/4 c. broth in a processor until almost smooth. Add pureed bean mixture, remaining broth and cheese rind to the vegetable mixture. Simmer until the potato pieces are tender, stirring occasionally, about 15 min. Stir in the whole beans and parsley, simmer until beans are heated through and the soup is thick, about 2 min. Season with S&P to taste. Discard Parmesan rind and rosemary sprig (leaves will have fallen off). 3. Ladle into bowwls and serve.

WINTER MINESTRONE VERY DELICIOUS AND HARDY!

Steps:

• In 5- to 6-quart pot, heat oil over medium heat. Remove and discard sausage casings; crumble sausage into pot; cook until lightly browned, stirring often. Add onion, carrot and celery; cook, stirring often, until onion is soft. Drain and discard any fat from sausage.
• Add beans, garlic, bell pepper, parsley, herbs, tomatoes (coarsely chopped) and their liquid, and broth. Bring to boil, cover, reduce heat, and simmer gently 30 minutes.
• Stir in wine and pasta and simmer gently, uncovered, until pasta is tender (10 to 12 minutes). Add spinach or Swiss chard, stirring just until it is wilted. Taste; add salt if needed.
• Serve with Parmesan cheese to sprinkle over each serving to taste. Makes.

WINTER MINESTRONE

Steps:

• Cut sausage, potatoes and fennel into 1/2 inch slices.
• In a skillet, cook sausage until brown and drain.
• In a large slow cooker, combine squash, potatoes, fennel, onion, beans, garlic and Italian seasoning.
• Top with sausage and pour chicken broth and wine over all in slow cooker.
• Cover and cook on low for 7-9 hours.
• Stir in spinach, cover and cook 10 minutes more.

GIADA WINTER MINESTRONE

Steps:

• Directions Heat the oil in a heavy large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, celery, pancetta, and garlic. Saute until the onion is translucent, about 10 minutes. Add the Swiss chard and potato; saute for 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes and rosemary sprig. Simmer until the chard is wilted and the tomatoes break down, about 10 minutes. Meanwhile, blend 3/4 cup of the beans with 1/4 cup of the broth in a processor until almost smooth. Add the pureed bean mixture, remaining broth, and Parmesan cheese rind to the vegetable mixture. Simmer until the potato pieces are tender, stirring occasionally, about 15 minutes. Stir in the whole beans and parsley. Simmer until the beans are heated through and the soup is thick, about 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Discard Parmesan rind and rosemary sprig (the leaves will have fallen off of the stem.) Ladle the soup into bowls and serve.

MOOSEWOOD WINTER MINESTRONE

Steps:

• In a large nonreactive soup pot, saute the onions, garlic, and celery in the oil on low heat for 10 minutes. Stir in the salt, carrots, parsnips, and chopped fennel, and then cover and continue to cook for 10 minutes, stirring frequently.Add the sweet potatoes, ground fennel, oregano, red pepper flakes, and rosemary and simmer for about 5 minutes. (If the vegetables stick or begin to brown, add a splash of water.) Add the tomatoes, water, and, if using, the wine. Cover and simmer for 20 to 30 minutes. Add the beans and parsley and cook for another 10 minutes. Serve plain or topped with grated Parmesan cheese. SERVES 6 TO 8 Notes * White and red kidneys are both fine, and if you prefer to substitute another type of bean, go right ahead.

WINTER MINESTRONE WITH CAULIFLOWER AND CABBAGE

Steps:

• 1. Heat oil in large soup pot over medium- high heat. Add the bacon/ pancetta, onion and sauté until the bacon/ pancetta is browned, about 2-3 minutes.
• 2. Add the tomatoes, parsley, basil, basil and stock. If using, add knuckle of beef. Bring to a boil, and reduce heat to very slow but steady simmer. Cook , covered, for 1 1/2 hours, uncovering every 20 to 30 minutes to stir.
• 3. Add beans, potatoes, carrots, celery and cabbage. Cook covered 30 minutes more.
• 4. Add cauliflower, rice/barley, fresh peasand cook, covered until vegetables are tender, 20 minutes. If using frozen peas, do not add them until last 5 minutes of cooking. Season with salt and pepper
• 5. Turn off heat and allow soup to mellow, anout 15 minutes. Stir in half the grated cheese, then ladelphia soup into warmed bowls and serve, pass remaining cheese.
• 6. If using beef knuckle, shred witf fork and add to soup

WINTER MINESTRONE & GARLIC BRUSCHETTA

Steps:

• Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat in a large, heavy pot or Dutch oven. Add the pancetta and cook over medium-low heat for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned. Add the onions, carrots, celery, squash, garlic, and thyme and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for 8 to 10 minutes, until the vegetables begin to soften. Add the tomatoes, 6 cups of the chicken stock, the bay leaf, 1 tablespoon salt, and 1½ teaspoons pepper to the pot. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer uncovered for 30 minutes, until the vegetables are tender. Discard the bay leaf. Add the beans and cooked pasta and heat through. The soup should be quite thick but if it's too thick, add more chicken stock. Just before serving, reheat the soup, add the spinach, and toss with 2 big spoons (like tossing a salad). Cook just until the leaves are wilted. Stir in the white wine and pesto. Depending on the saltiness of the chicken stock, add another teaspoon or two of salt to taste. Serve large shallow bowls of soup with a bruschetta on top. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, drizzle with olive oil, and serve hot. Bruschetta Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Slice the baguette at a 45-degree angle in --inch-thick slices. Brush both sides of the bread with olive oil and bake for 6 minutes, until lightly toasted. Take the slices out of the oven and rub the surface of each one with the cut clove of garlic.

WINTER MINESTRONE

Steps:

• Heat oil in a dutch oven over medium high heat. Add onion, basil, oregano and garlic to pan. saute 5 mins. or until onion is tender. Add squash and next 3 ingredients. Saute 5 mins. Stir in 1 cup water, proth and tomato paste; bring to boil. Reduce heat, simmer 10 mins. or until vegtables are crisp-tneder. Stir in pasta; cook 8 mins. Add chard; cook 3 mins. Add beans; cook 2 mins. Stir in pepper. Serve with cheese.