Wednesday, November 11, 2015

Pasta & Bean Soup

Perfect for a cold weather day, this hearty soup features cranberry beans and pork. Cranberry beans are also called shell beans or shell out and are known as borlotti beans in Italy.

Mirepoix
2          tablespoons chopped yellow onion
1/4       cup olive oil (less if there is much fat on the pork you are using)
3          tablespoons chopped carrot
3          tablespoons chopped celery
3/4       pork ribs or a ham bone with some meat on or 2 small pork chops (do not use smoked pork)
2/3      cup canned Italian tomatoes, cut up, with their juices

Prepare the Beans:
2         pounds fresh cranberry beans, unshelled weight (If they are not available, use 1 20-oz can white kidney beans or other white bean, such as Great Northern)
3         cups homemade meat broth
Salt
Fresh ground pepper

Add Pasta & Serve
6       ounces of tubular pasta
Grated Parmesan cheese

Mirepoix
Put onion in a stockpot with oil and sauté over medium heat until pale gold. Add carrot, celery and pork and sauté for about 10 minutes more. Add chopped tomatoes and their juice. Turn heat down to medium low and cook for 10 minutes.

Prepare the Beans:
1      If using fresh cranberry beans, shell, rinse them in cold water and add to the pot. Stir, then add the broth. Cover the pot, and adjust heat to a moderate boil. Cook for 1 hour, or until beans are tender. (If using precooked beans, cook the tomatoes for 20 minutes, instead of 10, then add the drained beans. Let the beans cook in the tomatoes for 5 minutes, stirring thoroughly, then add the broth and bring to a moderate boil.)
2      Scoop up about 2/3 cup of beans and mash them through a food mill back into the pot. Add the salt and pepper.

Add Pasta & Serve
 Check soup for density. It should be like a thick cream soup. Add the pasta and cook until al dente. The soup should rest for about 10 minutes before serving. Swirl in some grated cheese before serving. Serve with additional Parmesan cheese at the table.

9 comments:

  1. I love a hearty bean soup like this! And always love adding pasta. It's going to be cold and rainy here tonight -- perfect weather for this! Thanks so much.

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  2. Hi John , soup is good for you , I don't know why , in cold weather , a hot bowl of soup makes everything right with the world . Thanks for stopping by :)

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  3. Dear Nee,
    We are both into the soup thing..which is so much fun, especially eating them. I love your recipe, it is very hearty and a comfort food for sure. Delicious soup made with all of the veggies, ham , beens, and finally pasta. What is better than that, besides putting grated cheese on top. Thanks for sharing this with us...have to print this one out...Have a super week dear friend...
    Dottie :)

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  4. Dear Dottie ,
    Everyone here make soup at least 2/3 times a week . I think the steam from chicken noodle soup helps you feel better when you have a cold or the flu . Love cheese .

    Have a great week and stay safe .
    Nee :)

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  5. Replies
    1. Hi , The soup is very good , you can add or substract to your own taste . thanks for stopping by :)

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  6. Hi Nee,
    Yummy tasty soup !
    Not sure if I could get cranberry beans but canned white kidney beans is available. Will try it ... thanks for sharing :)

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    Replies
    1. Hi Karen ,
      It's deliciously good !
      Can white beans will be a good choice or your favorite can beans . Thanks for stopping by :)

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