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Classic Minestrone

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Ingredients
  

  • 4 strips bacon
  • olive oil
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 2 small onions
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2 carrots
  • 2 ribs celery
  • 2 handfuls seasonal greens, such as kale, chard, cabbage
  • 4 cups vegetable stock
  • 15 ounce can plum tomatoes
  • 15 ounce can beans, such as cannellini, butter, or mixed
  • 1 cup small dried pasta, such as elbow, orecchiette, ditalini
  • Parmesan cheese
  • salt & pepper

Instructions
 

  • Put a large shallow casserole pan on medium-high heat. Finely slice the bacon and sprinkle into the pan with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, stirring occasionally while you prep your vegetables.
    Peel and finely chop the garlic and onion, adding the garlic to the pan with the bay leaves as soon as the bacon turns golden, followed by the onions.
    Trim and chop the carrots and celery into rough 1/4 inch dice, adding to the pan as you go. Remove and finely chop any tough stalks from your greens and add to the pan. Cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring regularly, or until softened and caramelized. Then add the canned tomatoes, breaking them up with your spoon.
    Add the vegetable stock, beans, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Shred your greens and sprinkle them into the pan. Add the pasta and bring soup to a simmer. Cover and let bubble away for 10-15 minutes, or until the pasta is cooked and the soup has thickened to your liking.
    Season the soup to perfection, then serve it with a grating of Parmesan cheese and a drizzle of olive oil. A sprinkling of fresh basil leaves or a dollop of pesto will always be delicious too!

Notes

Don’t waste any of your greens – remove those tougher stalks, finely chop and add them to the base of your soup with the onion, carrot, and celery.
This soup is great for using up odds and ends from your dried pasta packets. Pile whatever you’ve got in a clean tea towel, then give it a good bash so it’s all about the same size.
EASY SWAPS:
When it comes to herbs, use what you’ve got. Rosemary or thyme leaves would be delicious here, or even a sprinkling of dried herbs.
Add other vegetables when you’re frying the onions, if you’ve got it, like leek, zucchini, or potato.
Use whatever stock you can get your hands on – of course, a fresh broth is delicious, but a humble stock cube will absolutely do the job.
– This is lovely finished with a sprinkling of grated Parmesan cheese, but you could use Cheddar or a dollop of pesto from a jar.
– Out of pasta? No problem, use rice instead or even hunks of bread, which will soak up all that lovely flavor.