Sausage and Beans Minestrone "Salsicce e fagioli Minestrone"

This is my second Minestrone Soup I am posting.  A couple of months ago I wrote about a Winter Minestrone.  Compare the photos and there is not much in common with the two.  Which is exactly the meaning of a Minestrone soup... Literally, a Mix up or Jumble.

Line up a dozen Italian grandmothers and you will find four dozen Minestrone recipes.  Or maybe even no recipes.  About all you really need is a broth and vegetables.  Whatever combination is personal taste or one of hundreds of different "Old Family Recipes from the Old Country".

Like this Minestrone recipe.  The very definition of hearty.  Two kinds of beans, two kinds of sausage, two kinds of root vegetables, pasta, LOADS of vegetables, tomatoes and a tomato based broth.

So, we are not out of Winter yet (by the calender maybe, but it is 30 degrees outside right now... hardly Spring).  Not yet ready to break into a summer seasonal fresh veggie soup.  So, hearty meaty soups are still needed to get through the remaining lingering cold dog days of winter...

OK... Here's what I did...

Sausage and Beans Minestrone "Salsicce e fagioli Minestrone"

Ingredients

• 1 Pound Sweet Italian Sausage, cut into slices
• 1 Pound HOT Italian Sausage, cut into slices
• 2 TBS Olive Oil
• 1 Large Red Onion, Rough Dice
• 2 Medium Carrots, rough chop
• 3 Ribs Celery, rough Chop
• 4 Cloves Garlic, minced
• 2 Small 15 ounce Cans Chopped Tomatoes, with juice
• 4 Cups Tomato Juice
• 8 Cups Chicken Stock
• 1 Can, 16 Ounce Chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 1 Can, 16 Ouce Garbanzo Beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 Large Zucchini, rough dice
• 1 medium Butternut Squash, rough dice
• 1 Cup Dried Orzo Pasta
• 3 TBS Chopped fresh Basil plus a few extra leaves for garnish
• Salt and Pepper To Taste

Cooking Directions

1. Slice the sausages and pre cook them in a large saute pan just to render out some of the fat. DO not over cook them as you will be simmering them in the soup.
2. In a separate large saute pan, heat the Olive Oil over medium high heat.
3. Add the Onions, Carrots and Celery. Saute for about 5 minutes until the onions soften and turn translucent.
4. Add the Garlic and continue to saute for another minute.
5. Transfer this into a LARGE stock pot, add the Sausage, Tomatoes, Tomato Juice and Stock. Heat over medium high heat until simmering.
6. Add both cans of beans
7. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer, cover the pot and simmer for 1 hour.
8. Add the Zucchini, Squash and Orzo Pasta and simmer for 10 minutes.
9. Stir in the basil, salt and pepper to taste
10. Garnish each bowl with addition basil sliver
11. Serve HOT and ENJOY!

Such a Hearty Soup it does not even need a sandwich to "Man it up".  Instead I served a couple thick slices of fresh made Olive Bread to dip in the broth... GOOD EATS!

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So,  I am pleased to list this as one of my Growing list of  "52 Recipes for Soup, Chili or Chowder" (Now more than 52 and still growing)

Soup from Scratch is one of the great kitchen joys.  The house smells amazing and the soup warms to the bone.  From broth to chowder, vegetarian to loaded up chili... Even a great idea for a party (love the Potato Soup Bar idea).  Come take a look, sure to have something you might like to try.  All recipes have been tested and WORK!

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So, I am pleased to add this as one of my growing list of "52 Uses For a Rotisserie Chicken"  (Now close to 100!)

MUCH more than a chicken sandwich.  From Scratch Pizza to Chinese Take Out recipes, Lots of Soups and Chili... Appetizers to Main Courses (Still can't find a dessert, but I am looking).  More than enough ideas for that store bought bird to shine with just a little extra work.  All recipes have been tested and WORK!

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So,  I am pleased to list this as one of my Growing list of  "52 Authentic Italian Recipes"!!!

Well over 52 recipes actually as I just can't stop. The world's most popular cuisine, authentic, natural, organic, Farm to Table... the Italians started, perfected or embraced it before it became a fad. This page is a guide to Italian Cooking... For the home cook!  So, Cin Cin (toast) and Buon Appetito (Enjoy your Meal) to you all and let's Cook authentic Italian!

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