Sunday, December 19, 2010

That first snow...

Well, we got it, the first snow of the season last week! Weird because it was almost 50 degrees the day or two before. But there it was, we woke up to a nice covering of snow. I know some folks don't like it, but we do! And the perfect thing to go with a cold, snowy day? Minestrone Soup! Any soup, I think, but this day it was Minestrone. A friend had invited me for lunch, she made Minestrone with Tomatoes and Rice. I liked it so much I made it again the very next day. Perfect timing with the snow! Has everything but the kitchen sink. Maybe not string beans. Didn't have those, but you can throw them in, too, if you want them. Sprinkled with a little Parmesan. This is perfect soup for a snowy day. Hey, it's perfect soup for a sunny day! And even better the next day when the rice soaked up all the soup! It was a total comfort dish, like risotto, without all the stirring! Risotto with Tomatoes and Vegetables!



Minestrone with Tomatoes and Rice
Source: Sheri
original recipe by Luca Marcato of Osteria al Doge, NYC

1/4 cup olive oil
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 medium red bell pepper, cut into 1/2-inch dice
1 medium carrot, cut into 1/2-inch dice
1 medium Idaho potato, peeled and cut into 1-inch dice
1 small zucchini, cut into 1-inch dice
1 small yellow squash, cut into 1-inch dice
1 Japanese eggplant or 1/2 small eggplant, cut into 1/2-inch dice
1/2 cup arborio rice
one 28-ounce can Italian peeled tomatoes, drained and coarsely chopped
salt and fresh ground pepper
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1 small stalk of broccoli — cut into 1-inch florets, stem peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1/4 small head of cauliflower, cut into 1-inch florets
1 medium celery rib, cut into 1/2-inch dice
1/2 cup frozen baby peas 
6 cups water, vegetable or chicken broth
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for serving

Heat the olive oil in a large non-reactive soup pot. Add the onion and red bell pepper and cook over moderately high heat, stirring occasionally, until softened and lightly browned, about 6 minutes. Add the carrot potato, zucchini, yellow squash and eggplant and cook, stirring often, for 5 minutes.

Add the rice to a skillet on medium heat with a little bit of oil, about a tablespoon. Stir well to coat the grains with the oil and toast for about two minutes. Then add the rice to the soup pot with the vegetables. Add the tomatoes, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, the crushed red pepper and 6 cups of water and bring to a boil over moderately high heat. Add the broccoli, cauliflower, celery and peas and cook, stirring, until all the vegetables and the rice are tender, about 35 minutes. Season the soup with salt and pepper.

(MAKE AHEAD: The soup can be refrigerated for 1 day. Reheat before serving.) Ladle the soup into bowls and serve, passing the Parmesan cheese at the table.  If it's too thick next day, add some stock or water and season again!
 



Joining Mary's Mosaic Monday. For more mosaic's stop by the Little Red House!

40 comments:

  1. I agree the first snow is always pretty but I'll give you the rest of mine - 3-10" expected again by tues am.

    Your minestrone looks wonderful, I've never had it with rice always a small pasta. Love that is chock full of veggies too - I'm bookmarking it for my eat healthy after the holidays plan :)

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  2. I do believe that I can smell that soup. With some time and several supper times between now and Christmas soup is a good choice!

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  3. Nothing better than soup! This sounds great-stay warm and enjoy:@)

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  4. Another wonderful recipe. The soup looks delicious on your photo. Enjoy your snow and thanks for sharing.

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  5. Yes, it is soup weather...looks delicious. We haven't had any snow, yet...probably waiting until we get ready to leave for the east coast and make driving to the airport in KC miserable for us!

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  6. I'd like some for my lunch tomorrow Carol! Another wonderful recipe. We have a couple inches of snow. Perfect for Christmas for us!

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  7. Oooh...nothing like a bowl of hot soup and a snowfall to say winter is here! Yummy recipe! I am still wishing for our first snow!...hugs...Debbie

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  8. This sounds and looks so good. It is definitely time for soup!

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  9. That soup would be delicious on a cold wintery day!

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  10. Your Minestrone looks totally delicious ... but I'll save your recipe until it's soup time over here. Definitely not the weather for soup downunder. Stay snug and warm ... and have a fantastic festive season!

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  11. The minestrone looks perfect for a hot meal on a cold night.

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  12. Looks absolutely wonderful! Merry Christmas to you!!! CATHY

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  13. Nothing better than soup in cold weather~ your minestrone looks delish :-)

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  14. Mmm, this recipe is calling to me - I love lots of veggies in my soup.
    Thanks for sharing it.

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  15. I love hot soup on a chilly night. Yummy!

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  16. There is a lot of nutrition in that soup and it looks so delicious. Just right for a cold day. Merry Christmas to you and your family.

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  17. This looks like the perfect bowl of soup for the first winter snow or for any time for that matter!

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  18. Yummy! I would love to taste it.

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  19. This minestrone soup is a soul satisfying meal. Definitely perfect for a snow day.

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  20. Looks delicious! That snow didn't last...a mere dusting, which is just fine!
    Don't put too many veggies in mine, carrots, celery and onions, ok? :)

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  21. The only thing I like about winter is a hearty soup!! As far as the snow - you KNOW how I feel about it!

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  22. I want to swim in that bowl of soup. It looks so yummy. Minestrone is certainly a winter,snowy day soup.

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  23. Mmmm I haven't made that in a long time! Your version looks divine! May you and yours have a joyous holiday, dear Carol!
    xoxo,
    mary

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  24. I totally agree, when snow appears soup is the best thing. This minestrone is so hearty and comforting.

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  25. Soup plus snow equals comfort...simple mathematical equation!!! This sounds and looks so good!!! Merry Christmas to you!!!

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  26. It seems we all agree....Soup is great on a SnowDay! Any cold day for me, soup is at the top of my list! Merry Christmas!

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  27. Soup is definitely comfort food on a cold, snowy day. And it's definitely cold here. Guess I should put on a pot! Thanks, Carol. ~ Sue

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  28. What could be better on a snowy day? That soup looks heavenly! Have a wonderful Christmas...

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  29. I made minestrone soup last week too! Yours is chock-full of goodies. Instead of rice, I put beans and pasta in mine :) Love the crispy croutons on top!

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  30. Theres nothing better than bowl of hot homemade soup on a snowy day to warm you up. It looks delicious, Carol.

    Enjoy playing in the snow!
    Pam

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  31. Congrats on the snow. I love it. It always snows here in upstate NY. Of course, hubby doesn't like it because he has to drive in it and shuvel but what's better than a soup ina cold winter day? I love it. It looks divine and delicious.

    Have a great week ahead.

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  32. Your ministrone looks so good, Carol. It's so chock full of a varietry of good vegetables.

    We didn't get any snow in our area on LI...but I'm sure we won't escape it mush longer!

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  33. Thanks for stopping by--I never would have found this wonderful recipe otherwise:-) I can imagine the wonderful smell, I am going to make this!

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  34. this looks delicious! I may just have to make that really soon.

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  35. I just love Minestrone soup. I make it often in winter for Sunday night dinner with hot scrolls or scones. I cook up the tomato soup base in the summer with our own tomatoes, freeze and use it to make Minestrone in winter. Yummy!
    Thanks for stopping by my blog, and have a wonderful Christmas in the company of those you love.

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  36. What great Minestrone - chuck full of veggies just the way we enjoy it! My spoon is ready. I made a pot last week when it was so chilly.
    ~Judy

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  37. I would love to have a bowl right now..Hungry and cold! Thanks for sharing your recipe! Looks delicious!

    Happy holidays..

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  38. Wow! That looks so amazing. A perfect dish for this time of year. Thank you!

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  39. This soup looks delicious and so inviting.

    THANKS.

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