Minestrone With Fennel Recipes

Steps:

• In a large Dutch oven or kettle cook onions, celery, carrot, garlic, and crushed red pepper in hot olive oil or cooking oil until onion is tender.
• Stir in the chicken or beef broth, undrained tomatoes, tomato juice, fennel or cabbage, and Italian seasoning. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes.
• Stir in the cannellini or great northern beans, zucchini, green beans, pasta, and prosciutto or ham. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes or until vegetables and pasta are tender.
• To serve, ladle soup into bowls; sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
• Make-Ahead Tip: Cool soup. Cover and chill up to 48 hours. Reheat over medium heat, stirring frequently.

Steps:

• Sautee onion & fennel until translucent; add garlic until aromatic. Add broth & vegetables, bring to a boil and let simmer, uncovered. Serve over cooked pasta or add into the soup. Optional: add spinach at end of cook time.

Steps:

• Dry-fry the lardons for 7-10 mins or until they begin to release their oils. Add the spring onions and cook gently for 5 mins or until softened, then add the garlic and fennel seeds, and cook for a few mins more. Add the fennel, cook for a few mins, then pour in the stock and 500ml water.
• Simmer for 5 mins, then drop in the pasta and bring to the boil. Cook the pasta following pack instructions, then tip in the peas, cook for 2 mins more and season to taste. Divide between two bowls and top each with a dollop of pesto and some fennel fronds. Serve with crusty bread.

Steps:

• Minestrone:
• Tie oregano, rosemary, and bay leaves together with kitchen twine.
• Heat oil in a large heavy pot over medium. Add pancetta, if using, and cook, stirring often, until browned around the edges, about 5 minutes. Add onion, leek, carrots, celery, garlic, and red pepper flakes; season with salt. Cook, stirring often, until onion is translucent and carrots are tender, 10-12 minutes. Add tomato paste and cook, stirring to coat, until slightly darkened, about 3 minutes.
• Add tomatoes, crushing with your hands as you go, then herb bundle, Parmesan rind, if using, and 6 cups water or reserved bean cooking liquid, or a combination. Season with salt and pepper and bring to a boil. Add potatoes, reduce heat, and simmer until potatoes are tender and flavors have melded, 20-25 minutes. Add kale and beans; cook until kale is tender, about 5 minutes. Discard Parmesan rind and herb bundle.
• Do ahead: Soup can be made 2 days ahead (or 2 months if frozen). Let cool; transfer to airtight containers and chill.
• Pistou and assembly:
• Pulse garlic and basil in a food processor until finely chopped. Transfer to a small bowl and stir in oil, Parmesan, and lemon zest; season with salt. Serve soup topped with pistou.