Minestrone Soup

Beautiful and delicious!

 Minestrone della Dea Venere

(Minestrone from Goddess Venus) 

Talk about a recipe being tried and true! Evidence shows that the basic recipe for Minestrone soup has been around since the Roman calendar was in use. Minestrone is delicious, nutritious, and a complete meal in a bowl.   Certainly Venus feasted on this nutritious potage to help maintain her splendor. It seemed wise for the Gourmet Goddess® to consult with the lovely Venus, who has graciously shared the secret recipe that provided her with exquisite beauty and robust health.   Together they have created the preeminent recipe for the most delicious and healthy soup - Minestrone.

The ancient Romans did not have access to much meat, but they realized that a diet rich in vegetables and legumes provided for robust and radiant good health.  Meals were made from available ingredients, which were mainly cultivated in the garden.  As trade routes opened, access to meats improved, but the Romans continued to believe that good health was a product of the bounty provided by the Roman goddess of the harvest, Ceres. 

This recipe contains a myriad of vibrant vegetables that each contribute to a nutritional need.  The chicken broth, a good source of protein, becomes slightly thicker with the inclusion of a starchy diced baking potato.  Cannelloni beans provide additional protein and ditalini (little thimbles) pasta gives the soup extra substance to fill the bellies of your bambina and bambino on a cold winter night.  The allure of a piece of toasted garlic bread with melted shaved provolone draws you further into the aromatic world of Minestrone.

Yes there is cutting and chopping of vegetables, but there is the satisfaction that you and your family are being fed a healthy and hearty meal all in one bowl.  Cooking is therapeutic. So put on some relaxing piano music, have a glass of wine and enjoy the culinary arts.  When you cook, whether it be savory or sweet; you are not only feeding people, but creating health, happiness, and comfort.  Like a true goddess you are making the world a better place.  

May all Your Culinary Wishes Come True!

And Remember Always Stay in Touch with Your Inner Goddess!

All the secret ingredients that gave Venus her exquisite beauty and robust health!

Minestrone Soup Ingredients

3 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1 large Sweet Onion, small dice

4 cloves Garlic, chopped fine

10 small Carrots peeled cut

2 stalks Celery diced

1 large Potato chopped

1 Zucchini cut in half and then sliced

1 cup Green Beans end trimmed and cut into ½ inch pieces

1 -28 ounce can Diced Tomatoes

1 - 14 ounce can Crushed Tomatoes

6 cups Low Sodium Chicken Broth (Vegetarian: 4 cups vegetable broth + 2 cups water)

1 teaspoon Dried Oregano

1 teaspoon Dried Basil

2 Bay Leaves

1 teaspoon Salt

1/2 teaspoon Ground Black Pepper

1 - 15 ounce can Canellini Beans

1 cup Ditalini Pasta

2 cups Swiss Chard chopped

Roasted garlic bread compliments the Minestrone perfectly. The combined aromatic Roman flavors enhance one another for a memorable meal.

Roasted Garlic Bread Garnish Ingredients

Olive Oil for brushing bread slices

Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese

Shaved Parmesan

1 Artisanal Roasted Garlic Bread sliced in 1 inch wedges

Fresh Basil, torn for garnish, optional

Chopped and diced and - I’m still standing, yeah, yeah yeah!.

Instructions

Gather all ingredients. 

Clean and prep vegetables. 

Heat the oil in a soup pot.

Add the onions and cook for 5 -10 minutes until they are translucent, making sure to stir occasionally.

Add the garlic, carrots, celery, potatoes, green beans and zucchini. 

Cook on low heat for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Add canned diced tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, and chicken broth.

Season with oregano, basil, bay leaves, salt and pepper. 

Turn up the heat to medium high and bring to a boil.  Lower heat, cover and simmer 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove bay leaves.

Add cannelloni bean, pasta and Swiss chard. Bring to a boil again and then lower heat.  Cover and simmer 12 – 15 minutes, again stirring occasionally.  Remove from stove.

Meanwhile slice bread and brush lightly with olive oil. 

Put under broiler for 30 seconds. 

Top with shaved cheese. 

Put back in broiler for 15 seconds.  Watch carefully, every broiler is different.

Ladle soup into bowls. 

Top with grated cheese and a slice of toasted Italian bread with melted cheese.

Add fresh basil, if desired.