Classic Italian Minestrone I Made It Ii

Classic Italian Minestrone

Cosmicmother 2 years ago
~Made for Nov. 2020's "Slow Cooker/Dutch Oven" Recipe Challenge~

Classic Italian Minestrone Soup by ConGusto

Excellent soup! Very delicious, hearty, and belly warming--perfect comfort food! Something I will make again and again as the whole family loved it.
I followed the ingredients and amounts to a T except I used smaller soup noodles, instead of shells or elbows I used ditali. Since they measure differently I used half the amount and found that to be perfect for us. And I used fresh thyme instead of dried since I had it on hand, and used 1 tsp instead 1/2 tsp dried.
I just ever so slightly varied the cooking method, just to my preferences. Where you saute the onions and vegetables I left out the tomato paste until after the veg cooked a little, and added the bay leaves, crushed red pepper flakes and pepper to the oil before the liquids as they are oil/fat soluble and not water soluble. I followed the rest of the steps up to where you add the greens. Rather than cooking the greens for 20 minutes, I added it in the last 5 minutes of cook time to keep them green and vibrant.
I love the finishing touch of the lemon juice and olive oil. The lemon just perks everything up without imparting a lemon or sour taste. The recipe lets you decide what greens you want to use, I used spinach. And offers options for the 2 cups of seasonal veg. like potatoes, squash, green beans etc.. I used zucchini.
This soup uses vegetable broth and has no meat in it, perfect for a vegetarian. And if you left out the Parmesan at the end it would be vegan. I think you could leave out the pasta and use rice or more beans; I could see making it that way for my family back home as I have vegan and gluten free in-laws. I served it with cheese-biscuits, but it's so hearty and filling you really don't need bread or crackers. This soup is going in my recipe files, loved it!
Flag
eastcoaster 2 years ago said:

Hello Shona, funny i was looking at this recipe the other day:))))
Your photos are so nice and bright and delicious looking/ saved it.
I do the same as you with the tomato paste, i always add it after the
vegetables cooked a bit. The same with the spinach, i do the same
as you did. I find with greens like that they really don't need to much time.
Great photos:))

Flag
mommyluvs2cook 2 years ago said:

I love ditalini pasta Shona, one of my favorites :) I like that this recipe is so versatile so you can make it to your families taste. Looks like a yummy bowl of soup!

Flag
Cosmicmother 2 years ago said:

Thanks ladies! :)
I've come across this recipe a few times in the past Manella, and finally had all the ingredients to make it. It's delicious!

Flag
LindaLMT 2 years ago said:

Yum Shona! and great picture. I love a good minestrone and always feel good eating one because it's loaded with vegetables.

Flag
LindaLMT 2 years ago said:

Alas, I made this recipe!! I've been wanting to since I seen it posted and it's fabulous and takes to changes well.
After splurging for Thanksgiving a healthy bowl of soup was a welcomed change!
Picture posted on recipe along with my changes for no other reason than I know what I like.

Flag
Cosmicmother 2 years ago said:

So glad you liked it too Linda! :)
I love that you used a bag of frozen veg with the Italian green beans and cauliflower etc., makes it even quicker and easier. Beautiful photo on the recipe page! :)

Flag
LindaLMT 2 years ago said:

Thanks Shona. I’m glad you found the recipe, it’s a keeper.

Flag