Sunday 25 October 2009

Minestrone Soup

What is on the top of your list when you proceed on a vacation? Packing, you say? Ummm, that's on my list too. But what comes as a close second is clearing the refrigerator. And what a task it is. Advance planning really tires me, and hence i find this chore a bit intimidating. Making sure that milk is not purchased on the day before traveling, the fresh veggies are consumed and leftovers are dealth with saps me out of my energy.

This Diwali, we visited our parents for a few days, and the task of cleaning the refrigerator loomed ahead. What I encountered was this: boiled kidney beans (leftover from the Rajma Masala prepared a couple of days back), one boiled potato, a few tomatoes, and an assortment of veggies. What finally resulted was this filling Minestrone Soup.


Apparently, there is no fixed recipe for Minestrone Soup and can be made with any vegetables at hand. The method I have used is based more on my experimentation rather than any fixed source.

Ingredients:
Boiled kidney beans / Rajma: 3/4 cup
Pasta of your choice: 3/4 cup
Mixed Vegetables (potatoes, peas, carrots, beans, corn kernels, capsicum, cauliflower florets), chopped: 3/4 - 1 cup
Tomatoes: 2 medium, one chopped and one pureed
Onion: 1 small, finely chopped
Garlic: 2 small cloves, finely chopped
Oil: 1 - 2 tbsp
Salt, pepper: to taste
Water / Vegetable Stock: 4 - 6 cups

Method:
- Boil the pasta as per the instruction on the pack. Drain and wash with cold water. Keep aside. I used Macaroni since that was the only pasta I had in store.
- Heat oil in a pan. Add the chopped garlic and onions. Saute till the onions turn translucent
- Add the chopped and pureed tomatoes. Cook on medium heatfor 3 - 4 minutes. I prefer a more tangy flavour and hence used 1/2 a tomato more. You may adjust the quantity to suit your taste.
- Add the chopped vegetables and saute for another 2 - 3 minutes
- Add the kidney beans, pasta. Add water / stock and salt to taste. Bring to a boil.
- Cover and cook on low heat till the vegetables are cooked, but still a little crunchy. Add more water if required to achieve the desired consistency.
- Adjust salt, and pepper
- Serve hot

Note: You can also add grated cheese to enhance the flavor.


This soup is my contribution to JFI: Rajma, the event created by Indira of Mahanandi, and hosted this month by Divya of Dil Se.

It also makes its way to Presto Pasta Night # 137, created by Ruth from Once Upon a Feast, and hosted this week by Haalo of Cook (Almost) Anything At least Once.

16 comments:

  1. I love minestrone, its one of my favorite meals! This looks great!

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  2. i love this soup and the pic is nice too. The winter is setting in and i am running to olive garden (Italian restaurant) to have the same soup and bread sticks...hahahahah...u just made me more hungry!

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  3. nice clicks dear.perfect for the event..it looks tempting.....

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  4. Looks spicy! When will winters come? Nothing like cold winter evening and spicy soup :)

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  5. Thanks everyone!

    @Preeti: Minestrone is one of my fav orders too when we go out for Italian food.

    @Indiashoes: Its not too spicy, but more tangy :)

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  6. Perfect for a chilly winter evening, looks inviting!

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  7. Such a delightful soup! So perfectly in colour and flavour. Cheers.

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  8. Such a healthy and nutritious soup, love to have in this cold weather!

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  9. Looks like a great way to clear out the fridge. Thanks for sharing with Presto Pasta Nights and have a great trip.

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  10. Stumbled into your blog just now. You have a good collection of recipes. see u often.:)
    Looks great healthy and nutritious soup!! Perfect for event.

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  11. Thanks Ruth. The trip was wonderful.

    Thanks Sangeetha for the visit. Looking forward to sharing recipes with you.

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  12. That looks very warm and inviting! It's snowing here and all I need is a bowl of soup :-)

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  13. Guess first time here, am I? Not sure!! Its good to discover ur blog:)

    Enjoy reading 'About you' sounds interesting:)

    Hearty soup, I will be content with this...very fulfilling:)

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  14. so tempting to look at how much more when it is tasted?

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