Snow Day Soup

Posted on February 10, 2011 by Amy

Well here’s what my backyard looks like …

Boomer looks a little crazed in that pic but you can see how far the giant dog is sinking in the snow, that’s a LOT for Arkansas!

So warmth and comfort it is! Tonight I’m making chili per Jon’s request but last night I made minestrone. This is quickly becoming a favorite for me which is weird for several reasons

1. I don’t really like soup in general (if I like it, it’s usually got a lot of cream/milk)

2. I really don’t like vegetable soup (and this is basically glorified veg soup)

I do however LOVE this recipe – it makes your house smell like heaven!

Disclaimer ; this recipe is a version of Rachael Ray’s Midwinter Minestrone from her Look and Cook cookbook. I basically am posting the ‘I grocery shop at Wal-mart and they don’t have that ingredient’ version.

Here we go:

ingredients (ok so I forgot some things in the original set up)

Step 1:

In a large pot cook 2-3 strips of chopped bacon (this is optional and pretty much the only unhealthy part of this, so feel free to omit – also RR says pancetta)

Step 2 :

While that’s cooking chop 2 carrots, 2 celery stalks, 1 large onion, and 3 cloves of garlic.

Also get 2 bay leaves

Dump all of this into the pot and cook over medium high heat

Step 3 :

While that’s cooking, chop 1 package baby bella mushrooms (RR says something about dried porcinis – yeah) and 5-6 sun dried tomatoes.

dump those in with the other veg after about 10 min of cooking

Step 4:

Now you get to learn about Kale (Well at least I didn’t know until I learned this recipe)

(RR says something about purple Kale – I assure you, Wal-mart has green only)

Take the bunch of Kale, wash it, and then separate the leaves from the stems.

Chop the Kale into small-ish pieces and dump in the pot.

Step 5 :

Add 1 box of chicken stock, 4-6 cups of water (RR says 2 but that’s not enough for as much pasta as I add), 1 can of chickpeas, and 1/2 a box of a small whole wheat pasta.

Bring to a boil and cook until pasta is tender.

Play hide and seek with the bay leaves, and if you win pull them out.

Pour yourself a bowl, sprinkle some shredded romano cheese and go for it! It will warm your soul! (And your house will smell AWESOME!)

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