Barley Minestrone With Pesto Recipes

Steps:

• Cook 1 cup quick-cooking barley as the label directs; transfer to a bowl. Pulse 2 cups parsley, 2 tablespoons each olive oil and toasted pine nuts, 1 garlic clove, 1 teaspoon lemon zest and 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt in a food processor until smooth. Add to the barley along with 2 more tablespoons toasted pine nuts and 1 tablespoon lemon juice; toss.

Steps:

• Set a large, heavy-bottomed soup pot over medium-high heat, and add olive oil. When oil is hot, add onion and season generously with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until softened and just beginning to color, 5 or 6 minutes.
• Add garlic, bay leaf, tomato paste and red pepper. Cook, stirring, for another minute, then add wine, if using, and tomatoes, and bring to a brisk simmer.
• Add 8 cups water and a good pinch of salt and let mixture return to a brisk simmer. Cook for 10 minutes, then taste for seasoning. The broth should be well seasoned before the vegetables go in.
• Make the pesto: As the broth simmers, pound the garlic and salt to a paste in a large mortar. Beginning with a few basil leaves at a time, pound basil to a paste, then add parsley leaves and a little salt. Continue to pound until all the basil and parsley have been pounded into a coarse green paste. (Alternatively, many people may wish to make the pesto in a food processor.)
• Transfer to a serving bowl and whisk in olive oil and Parmesan. Taste and season with salt and pepper. Set pesto aside covered with a thin layer of oil or with plastic film pressed against its surface to prevent oxidation.
• Add the zucchini, romano beans and pasta to the simmering broth and cook 7 to 8 minutes, until pasta is al dente. Add green beans and cook for a minute or 2.
• Ladle soup into bowls, topping each with a dollop of pesto. Pass more grated Parmesan at the table.

Steps:

• Heat oil over medium heat in a stockpot. Stir in leek and onion and cook for 5 to 6 minutes. Add carrots, celery, and garlic; cook for 5 minutes. Add potatoes and cook for 2 to 3 minutes more.
• Pour hot vegetable broth into the pot and stir well. Add bay leaf and thyme; season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and let simmer for 10 to 12 minutes.
• Stir in zucchini and peas. Let simmer for 5 minutes. Add tomatoes, cover, and let simmer for 5 to 8 minutes.
• Uncover the pot and stir in beans. Let simmer for 10 minutes; stir in pesto sauce and let simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand for 3 to 4 minutes. Serve topped with Parmesan cheese.

Steps:

• Heat 5 to 6 quart Dutch oven over medium high heat until hot. Add barley and cook 3-4 minutes until toasted and fragrant, stirring constantly. Transfer to bowl and set aside.
• In same Dutch oven heat oil over med-high heat until hot. Add cabbage, carrots, celery and onion and cook 8-10 minutes until veggies are tender and lightly browned. Stir occasionally.
• Add garlic and cook 30 seconds. Stir in barley water, broth tomatoes, and 1/4 tsp salt. Cover and heat to boiling over high heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, 25 minutes.
• Stir zucchini and beans into mixture. Increase heat to medium and cook covered 10-15 minutes longer or until all veggies are tender.
• Top with pesto, cheese, or sour cream.

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in heavy large pot over medium heat. Add onion and sauté until soft, about 4 minutes. Add broth and next 7 ingredients. Increase heat to high and bring soup to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, partially cover pot, and simmer until potatoes are tender, about 10 minutes. Stir in spinach; simmer 3 minutes longer. Season soup to taste with salt and pepper. Ladle soup into 6 bowls; garnish each with 1 tablespoon pesto. Serve, passing cheese separately.

Steps:

• Place the barley in a pan, cover with cold water, and bring to a boil. Cook for 25-30 minutes until tender; then drain.
• In a large pot, combine all vegetables with the stock and bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 15 minutes until the vegetables are just tender.
• To make pesto, place the basil and garlic in a blender; add 1/2 cup of the vegetable cooking liquid and blitz to a smooth puree.
• Add the puree to the soup, stir until combined, then add the cooked barley. Season with black pepper and serve.