Winter Minestrone
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, peeled, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 3 ounces thinly sliced pancetta, coarsely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 pound Swiss chard, stems trimmed, leaves coarsely chopped
- 1 russet potato, peeled, cubed
- 1 (14 1/2-ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 1 fresh rosemary sprig
- 1 (15-ounce) can cannellini beans, drained, rinsed
- 2 (14-ounce) cans low-sodium beef broth
- 1 ounce piece Parmesan cheese rind
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves
- Salt and pepper
- 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.
- SERVINGS: 4 (MAIN); Calories: 375; Total Fat: 15 grams; Saturated Fat: 4 grams; Protein: 19 grams; Total Carbohydrates: 43 grams; Sugar: 10 grams; Fiber: 10 grams; Cholesterol: 19 milligrams; Sodium: 1,391 milligrams
olive oil, onion, carrots, celery stalks, pancetta, garlic, swiss chard, russet potato, tomatoes, rosemary, cannellini beans, beef broth, parmesan cheese rind, fresh italian parsley, salt
Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/winter-minestrone-recipe.html (may not work)