Summer Minestrone
- Yield: 6 to 8 servings
-
- Nutritional Analysis
- Per Serving
- Serving Size
- 1 of 8 servings
- Calories
- 478
- Total Fat
- 41
- Saturated Fat
- 12
- Carbohydrates
- 18
- Dietary Fiber
- 5
- Sugar
- 6
- Protein
- 14
- Cholesterol
- 47
- Sodium
- 1052
- Total: 40 min
- Prep: 10 min
- Cook: 30 min
Ingredients
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
1 medium onion, diced
1 bay leaf
3 sprigs fresh marjoram
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil leaves
2 celery ribs, peeled and chopped
1 bunch asparagus, cut into 1-inch pieces
2 cups young green beans, cut into 1-inch pieces
2 cups shelled English peas (or substitute frozen)
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 quarts low-sodium chicken stock, enough to cover
1 cup heavy cream
Basil and Mint Pesto, recipe follows
1 bunch watercress or parsley
Basil and Mint Pesto:
1 cup fresh basil leaves
1 cup fresh mint leaves
1/2 cup Parmesan or Romano
1/2 cup pine nuts, toasted
4 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Directions
- In a large, heavy pot add a 3-count of extra-virgin olive oil. Add garlic, onion, bay leaf, marjoram and basil. Saute gently until fragrant. Add the vegetables and cook a little of the moisture out, about 5 to 7 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Dump in the chicken stock and heavy cream bring to a gentle boil. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 15 to 20 so the flavours can come together - do not let it boil hard. Remove half of the vegetables from the pot and puree and add back to the pot to thicken. Simmer for 5 to 7 minutes until the vegetables are just tender. Serve each bowl with a spoonful of basil and mint pesto on top, a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil and some freshly ground black pepper. Garnish with watercress or parsley.
Basil and Mint Pesto:
- Put all the ingredients into a food processor and pulse until just combined and the pesto still has a lot of texture.