Tuesday, January 06, 2009

CELEBRATE NATIONAL SOUP MONTH and BEAN DAY ~ WINTER WHITE BEAN & PASTA SOUP

"Only the pure in heart can make a good soup."
~ Ludwig van Beethoven
~ Sunrise
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WINTER WHITE BEAN & PASTA SOUP

~ Hearty potage for a cold winter evening

_________________

1 cups dried white beans

(Cannellini, navy or Great Northern)

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

2 cup finely diced onions

2 diced carrots

1/2 cup diced celery or fennel

4 minced cloves garlic

1 tsp. dried red pepper flakes

2 bay leaves

8 cups organic chicken broth

4 oz. bow tie pasta

1/2 cup finely diced sun-dried tomatoes

2 cups baby spinach

1/4 cup finely chopped parsley

coarse salt & freshly ground pepper

Freshly grated Parmesan cheese

  • Soak bean overnight (or quick soak by placing beans in large pot of cold water to cover and bring to boil. Remove from heat, cover and let stand 1 hour). Drain.
  • Heat oil in large stockpot and saute onions, carrots, celery, garlic, and pepper flakes until vegetables are limp. Add beans, stock and bay leaves. Bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer, partially covered, until beans are tender, about 1 hour.
  • Add pasta and tomatoes and cook until pasta is tender (add additional stock if necessary). Add parsley and spinach. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  • Ladle into bowls. Pass cheese and serve with loaf of good garlic bread. (4 servings
~ Sunset



19 comments:

Roses and Lilacs said...

Joey, your photos are always so pretty.

This recipe sounds good. I don't usually make things like this for myself but I might try it and share a pot to my Dad.
Marnie

beckie said...

I just found a new soup for this weekend. Thanks. I knew there was a soup month, but a bean day! :}
You pictures are delightful. Looks so peaceful, cold but peaceful.

marmee said...

hey joey, i am spending the day on computer. the weather is nasty,i have a grand who is on barbie.com and i have put away most of the christmas so i am calling out a day for myself. this soup sounds inviting especially on this cold wintery day. my mom has always made the best soups so i am fond of them.
love your two photos.

Anonymous said...

Happy New Year Joey,
Hope you had a great holiday? As usual it all happens so fast, unfortunately.
I enjoy making soups, however, never really cared for bean, until last week I discovered one similiar to yours. Yours does sound much better and one I will make.
This winter I hope to make a different soup each week. Love these warm dinners with a fresh salad and warm bread. Can you say COMFORT food!
I made your Red & Green Seafood Shell Pasta last nite, we really enjoyed and have saved the recipe to make again.
Also, have your Egg Nog Cookies in my cookie collection. Love to have a little sweet nibble with coffee in the AM or afternoon tea.

Thanks again for your recipes, wonderful photos and quotes.
The best to you this New Year!!

TYRA Hallsénius Lindhe said...

Hi Joey, great photos and yummie food. Januari is a perfect month for soups. I have gain some weight (us usual) over the holidays so healthy soups will be great now. Thank you for great recipes/ Tyra

Anonymous said...

Mmmm, bean soup. I just love bean soup. Just made a pot myself on Sunday. Perfect remedy for a cold, January day.

Kylee Baumle said...

I think I could eat soup every day of the winter. I just made potato soup last week, had tomato soup tonight, and will be making Pasta e fagioli later this week. I never think about soup much during the summer!

joey said...

Soup is good for the soul, Marnie, and wonderful to share ... I'm sure your Dad would love it! It takes time to sip soup so nourishing conversation seems to go hand in hand.

Hi dear Beckie ~ indeed it's cold (both shots were from inside).

I think we learn the art of making soup from our mothers, dear Marmee. My mother (though long gone, still guides me in the kitchen) and always had a pot simmering on the back stove. I do believe I could live on them!

Hi sweet Ann ~ if you're craving soup like I do, enter soup at the top of my blog ... you will see, I'm a 'soup addict'! Delighted to know you are enjoying some of my favorites (I've been making those egg nog cookies for over 30 years). Happy New Year, dear friend ;)

Hi Tyra ~ don't think you're alone with calories creeping up :) Most everyone's focus, actually craving, becomes healthy food after indulging during the holidays. May this New Year bring peace to joy to all we know :)

I agree, Robin. Always a pot simmering as soon as one disappears ...

Anonymous said...

Hi Joey, what a great Beethoven quote, he is one of my favorite composers. We were given a Smithfield ham, 21 pounds! as a Christmas gift. The ham bone should make some mighty tasty broth for many future soups. I would also appreciate any recipes that use ham! :-)
Frances

JGH said...

Sounds terrific! You think it's okay to use canned cannellinis? I just happen to have some! I've enjoyed all your holiday recipes.

joey said...

Happy New Year, Frances! I just made a tasty batch of Thyme Pea Soup with my Honey Baked Ham bone, which I will post soon. Meantime, I have many ham recipes ... simply enter 'ham' at the top my blog (e.g. French Pea Soup, Ham/Roasted Pepper Panini, Croque Monsieur, Michigan Bean Soup) and hopefully something will grab you ;)

Indeed, JGH, canned cannellis are fine to use. Just make sure you rinse them well before adding (garbanzo beans are also good in this). Thank you for your kind comment, happy you are enjoying many of the same things that I do. Wishing you a wonerful New Year!

RURAL said...

A bowl of soup sounds so good today. Our snow is gently leaving, and the rain is insistant in its downpour.

What remarkable photos you always seem to take.

Jen

joey said...

Thanks dear Jen ~ the weather this winter is never dull and constantly changing. We've also had more snow. Wished you lived near and we could share a bowl together :)

Rose said...

This recipe sounds delicious! The sunset photo is gorgeous, Joey.

joey said...

Thanks Rose ~ when not overcast, Michigan sunsets are hard to beat :)

inadvertent farmer said...

ON the menu for tonight's supper...thanks as always Joey, your recipes are the best and your photos stunning! Kim

joey said...

Kim, you are such a dear. Do hope it 'fits the bill' on this chilly night. Thank you again for your thoughtful gift. I'm back home and have been cookin' all night for the big birthday bash on Sat :)

Catherine said...

Two breathtaking captures Joey! A fantastic quote by Beethoven, and if that weren't already enough, the delicious recipe ~Winter white bean & pasta soup sounds soooo good! :)
"Deep within the Winter forest
among the snowdrift wide,
You can find a magic place where
all the fairies hide.
~Author Unknown
I think you have shown us pictures of just that place Joey! :)
Hugs!
Cat

joey said...

How sweet, Cat. You have a gift for always making me feel quite special and, for that and many other touching reasons why you have enriched my life, I thank you, dear friend :)