Yum Peaceful Cooking: Minestrone Madness - Blame it on Fannie Farmer

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Minestrone Madness - Blame it on Fannie Farmer

The other day I wasn't feeling well and I wanted soup. I didn't want just plain ole chicken soup.

Wait...maybe thats not what happened (I was sick, and still am, so my facts might be weird). Lets start again:

The other day I wasn't feeling well but I was in the mood to cook something. I came across an old old mini cookbook that use to be my mother in laws: The All New Fannie Farmer Boston Cooking School Cookbook. (complete and unabridged). what does that mean???

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I came across Minestrone. It sounded easy enough. And I had everything I needed to make it.

So why did it take me all day?

I took the long way home.

I had a bag of white beans in the freezer that I thought should be used. And I had a bag of veggie cuttings in the freezer waiting to be made into a veggie stock.

Did I mention that I was so yearning for fall that I was desperate to make a comfort food over the weekend before the temps hit in the 100's again (as predicted)? Ya..I was desperate.

So I soaked and cooked 1 cup of beans. I got the veggie cutting bag out of the freezer....

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The recipe had called for water. Not broth. But come one....you know broth is going to be much better than plain ole water, right?

So I dumped all those veggies in a stock pot, and loaded it up with seasonings. I let it boil for somewhere between 1 and 2 hrs. Then I strained out the big stuff....and then strained out the little stuff

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and I was left with some really good stuff for my Minestrone.

Ok...now that that's out of the way....lets get down to business.

a 2" cube of salt pork, diced
1 onion, chopped fine
1 tablespoon minced parsley
1 garlic clove, minced

Cook and stir for about 10 minutes

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Oh ya...I found some more goodies in the freezer....a small bag of cooked, crumbled Italian sausage. So I threw that in as well

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Now I was instructed to add a can of tomato paste (hmm..I don't have any. But I do have some crushed tomatoes in the freezer....lets use that) and 2 cups of boiling water or broth.

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Simmer for about 15 minutes then add some sort of veggie. Fannie recommended cabbage. I had some mixed veggies that I wanted to see in my soup.

Cook for about 10 minutes. Add the beans along with the bean liquid and stir gently. Bring to a boiling and add 1 cup of elbow macaroni

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Cook until just tender. Season with salt and pepper to taste....add more broth or water if needed (and mine needed it).

Fannie says the soup should be very thick.

I forgot to garnish with Parmesan Cheese (blame it on the cold)....but I didn't forget my homemade Italian Style Herb Bread....

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Now...this is my very first ever entry for Souper Sundays. With the cold weather (hopefully) around the corner....I know there will be lots of good stuff to be found on Sundays over at Debs Kahakai Kitchen. Not only is she the host of Souper Sundays (soup, salad or sammies) but she's got some great recipes for food and beverages.

SouperSundays








19 comments:

  1. That's totally different from the minestrone I'm used to eat here in Italy.
    100 degrees sounds like madness right now, we're down to 75-80 these days and I'm thinking about all the warm things I'm going to be eating soon.
    Get well soon

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  2. YUM! Pure comfort! Looks great, especially w/ the bread. Hooray for joining Souper Sundays :D

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  3. Sunday afternoon, about 25 degrees outside (maybe even snow)... will be perfect, thanks for this recipe

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  4. That looks delicious! Not only does the soup look great but I LOVE that you whipped out that bag from the freezer. We need to talk about everything that was in there. I love this!

    Hope you're feeling better!

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  5. Looks like it's perfect for whatever ails you - yum!

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  6. A delicious bowl of comfort!! I hope it helped you feel better!

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  7. I am going to have to remember to take pictures for my recipes! I like that touch.

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  8. I can't even think about Minestrone until it gets cooler here but am sooo looking forward to fall weather and moving from the grill to the kitchen again! Your soup looks wonderful.

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  9. I love soups!!! Your soup sounds so good!!!!!!!

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  10. Yum!! That looks awesome!!!

    And I hope you're feeling better!!

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  11. I am hanging my head in shame. Why don't I think to save veggie scraps and freeze them? How clever of you. This soup looks so fresh, and hearty. Good for you for taking the slow route. It's so worth it.
    My last name is Farmer... maybe Fannie and I are kindred spirits? ;)

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  12. Dajana - I'd seriously love to hear about your ministrone, being from Italy...a more authentic recipe would be awesome!!

    Heather - thanks...I was fun doing something for Souper Sundays :)

    Grill - 25'??? I'd be really happy if it got down to the 60's LOL

    Michele - We'll talk in BakeSpace about the veggie bag. :)

    Cate - thank you so much for stopping by! I'll be by shortly to see what goodies you have cooking up :)

    Reeni - yes, the soup helped. I'm not sure if it was the actual eating it, or just the whole process of cooking it that helped.

    Joyce - Hi! I use to forget about pictures all the time. Once you start remembering, you'll have sooo much fun. I'm glad you came by.

    Angie - I know..i jumped the gun with the weather thing but it was really bugging me...I had a need LOL

    Erica - thank you, it was really good.

    Spryte - yep...feeling much better, thank you.

    Well Mrs. Farmer (that is just too cute) maybe Fannie is a distant relation. Wouldn't that be fun? And don't feel too badly about the veggie bag. This was my first time and I keep forgetting. (in other words, I don't have another one in the freezer yet)

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  13. When I'm sick will you come make me some of this? ;)

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  14. Hi Danielle, I found you over on the Blog of the Week from the Only Cookware blog. So I said to myself that I was going to come on over and pay you a friendly foodie visit. Love what I'm reading and have added you to follow. Do come over to visit me and hopefully add me to your yummy circle of friends....looks like you chat with many of great cooks that I talk to also....lots of fun, isn't this? Ciao for now, Roz (Bella)

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  15. Chris - LOL...I'm sure you can figure out a way to make soup in your big green egg :)

    Roz - How sweet of you to stop by and congrats on being chosen for Blog of the Week....isn't it just so fun? It's very nice to meet you and YUM!! You have some awesome good things cookin at your place.

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  16. Hi ladies (Roz and Danielle) nice to see you found each other.

    This is a really tasty sounding soup,Danielle, and ideal for the up coming cooler months. Very clever idea to save veggie scraps to make broth. I will certainly be doing that in future.

    A nice alternative to chicken soup when you are unwell.

    Hope you feel better soon.

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  17. Looks delicious! Thanks for sending it to Souper Sundays--I'll add it to the round-up.

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  18. Wanda - Thank you...it really did hit the spot. then I had it 2 nights later with some wonderful homemade bread, made into garlic cheesy bread!! and yes, I'm feeling much better now. :)

    Deb - yeah for souper sundays!! :)

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  19. oh my god! yum yum yumm!!! this looks insanely delicious! I'm so excited i found your blog! Its one of y new favorites! I'll be back often :)
    Mini Baker

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