Pasta e Fagioli
by Lori Longbotham
This Italian soup–which has as many variations as there are cooks—is chock full of pasta, beans, and vegetables, making it a hearty one-dish meal.
Serves eight.
Yields 16 cups.
To learn more, read the article:
Soup Suppers
8 slices bacon, cut crosswise into 1/4-inch-wide strips
3 medium red onions, finely chopped
3 medium cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tsp. dried rosemary
2 quarts lower-salt chicken broth
Two 15-1/2-oz. cans chickpeas, rinsed and drained
14-1/2-oz. can petite-cut diced tomatoes
4 medium carrots, peeled, halved lengthwise, and thinly sliced
3 medium celery ribs with leaves, thinly sliced crosswise
1 slender 3-inch cinnamon stick
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 cup tubettini (or other small pasta)
1-1/2 tsp. red-wine vinegar; more to taste
Grated or shaved Parmigiano-Reggiano for garnish
In a 6-quart (or larger) Dutch oven over medium heat, cook the bacon, stirring occasionally, until partially crisp, about 7 minutes. With a slotted spoon, transfer the bacon to a paper-towel-lined plate. Add the onions to the pot and cook, scraping up any browned bits and stirring occasionally, until softened, 6 to 8 minutes. Add the garlic and rosemary and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the chicken broth, chickpeas, tomatoes and their juices, carrots, celery, cinnamon stick, 3/4 tsp. salt, 1/2 tsp. pepper, and 1 cup water. Bring to a boil over high heat; skim any foam as necessary. Reduce the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the carrots and celery are very tender, about 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, cook the tubettini according to the package directions and drain.
Discard the cinnamon stick and add the pasta. Stir in the bacon and vinegar. Season to taste with salt, pepper, and more vinegar. Serve garnished with the Parmigiano-Reggiano.
You can store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
nutrition information (per serving):
Calories
(kcal):
370;
Fat
(g):
7;
Fat Calories
(kcal):
70;
Saturated Fat
(g):
1.5;
Protein
(g):
21;
Monounsaturated Fat
(g):
2.5;
Carbohydrates
(g):
59;
Polyunsaturated Fat
(g):
2;
Sodium
(mg):
720;
Cholesterol
(mg):
5;
Fiber
(g):
11;
photo: Scott Phillips
From Fine Cooking 96
, pp. 80
October 23, 2008
