Vegetable Minestrone with Creamy Pesto
Serves 8
Ingredients
1⁄2 cup dry cannellini beans
6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 small yellow onion, chopped
2 small carrots, peeled, 1⁄2" dice
2 small stalks celery,
1⁄2" dice 2 cups tomatoes, peeled, seeded, chopped, fresh or canned
4 cups chicken stock
1⁄2 packed cup fresh basil leaves, washed, dried
1 tablespoon toasted pine nuts
1 clove garlic, minced
1 cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano
salt and freshly ground black pepper
1⁄2 pound green beans, ends trimmed, cut into 1" lengths diagonally
3 cups lightly packed Swiss chard leaves, 1 small bunch, cut into 1" pieces
1/4 pound fusilli pasta
Instructions
Pick over the beans and discard any stones or damaged beans. Soak the beans in plenty of cold water for 4 hours. Drain the beans and place them in a large saucepan. Cover with plenty of water and simmer until the beans are tender and the skins just begin to crack, 45 to 60 minutes.
Drain the beans. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large soup pot over medium low heat. Add the onions, carrots and celery and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender, 20 minutes. Add the tomatoes, stock and 3 cups water and simmer 45 minutes.
In the meantime, place the basil, pine nuts, garlic, 4 tablespoons olive oil and 1⁄2 cup Parmigiano in a blender or food processor. Blend at high speed until well mixed, 1 minute. Stop and scrape down the sides periodically and continue to blend until smooth, 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper. Fifteen minutes before serving, add the cooked cannellini beans, green beans, and pasta and simmer covered, until the pasta is completely cooked, 8 to 10 minutes. Add the Swiss chard and simmer until it wilts, 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
Ladle the soup into bowls and top with a large spoonful of the pesto. Sprinkle with the remaining 1⁄2 cup Parmigiano and serve immediately.
