Minestrone


Minestrone
Minestrone is a traditional Italian soup. It is made with a mix of vegetables and a poultry stock. It is quite simple to make, but preparing all the vegetables takes time.
There are doubtless as many minestrone recipes as there are Italian cooks, but here is my version.
163K 29 4.3
Grade this recipe:

Last modified on: May 29th 2011

Keywords for this recipe:
For 2 people, you will need:

Change to the quantities for: 2 people 3 people 6 people 12 people 18 people
How long does it take?
Time required for this recipe:
PreparationCookingStart to finish
2 hours 19 min.1 hour 11 min.3 hours 30 min.
At what time:
  • When will I finish if I start the recipe at ... ?
    When should I start for the recipe to be ready at ... ?
  • Work this out...

Step by step recipe


Stage 1
Minestrone
The day before, put 67 g white haricot beans to soak overnight if you are using dried beans. For fresh ones this isn't necessary.

Stage 2 - 10 min.
Minestrone
Shell 67 g peas, or use frozen ones.

Stage 3 - 10 min.
Minestrone
Peel, wash and chop 1 spring onion (scallion).

Stage 4 - 20 min.
Minestrone
Peel 1 tomato and cut into quarters.

Stage 5 - 10 min.
Minestrone
Wash 67 g green beans, cut off the ends and cut into pieces.

Stage 6 - 29 min.
Minestrone
Prepare 1 courgette in small pieces.

Stage 7 - 40 min.
Minestrone
Peel and wash 1 carrot, 1 turnip and 1 potatoes, cut into small pieces.

Stage 8 - 20 min.
Minestrone
Peel and boil 67 g green asparagus spears in salted water until just tender, but still with some crunch.

Stage 9 - 20 min.
Minestrone
Throw away the water that the beans have soaked in and replace with salted water, Boil until they are cooked but still slightly firm.

Drain.

Stage 10 - 1 min.
Minestrone
Pour 2 tablespoons olive oil into a large pan over medium heat. When hot, add the chopped onions, salt, pepper and cook while stirring for 1 minute.

Add the turnips, carrots and potatoes. Stir to mix well.

Stage 11 - 5 min.
Minestrone
Add the courgettes, haricot beans, green beans and asparagus. Stir to mix well and cook together for 5 minutes, stirring from time to time.

This preliminary cooking of the vegetables in oil is important to add flavour to the minestrone.

Stage 12 - 35 min.
Minestrone
Moisten with 667 ml water and add 1 chicken stock cube.

Bring to the boil, then turn down the heat and leave to simmer gently until all the vegetables are well cooked.

Stage 13 - 10 min.
Minestrone
Then add the tomatoes, check seasoning and leave to cook for a further 10 minutes.

Stage 14
Minestrone
Serve hot on its own, or accompanied by slices of toasted bread spread with pesto, or a little grated Parmesan.
Remarks
Ideally a minestrone should include at least 5 vegetables, but they can be any you choose, so you can vary this recipe in both ingredients and proportions.
You can also add a cupful of rice along with the vegetables. There are those who consider that this should replace the haricot beans, but I think it's good with both.

Minestrone is even better reheated the following day.
Keeping
Several days in the fridge.
Source
Home made.
Nutritional information
Whole recipe
Energetic valueProteins CarbohydratesFats
697 Kcal or 2,918 Kj18 gr79 gr36 gr
35 %7 %7 %5 %
Per 100 g
Energetic valueProteins CarbohydratesFats
43 Kcal or 180 Kj1 gr5 gr2 gr
2 %<1 %<1 %<1 %
Per person
Energetic valueProteins CarbohydratesFats
348 Kcal or 1,457 Kj9 gr40 gr18 gr
17 %4 %4 %3 %
% are calculated relative to a Recommended Dietary Intake or RDI of 2000 k-calories or 8400 k-joules by day for a woman (change to a man).
How much will it cost?
  • For 2 people : 3.55 €
  • Per person : 1.78 €

Change currency:

Note: Be careful, these prices are only an estimate, you can consult the table of prices by ingredients used for this estimate.
This recipe uses (among others)
WaterWater: You can get more informations, or check-out other recipes which use it, for example: Pumpkin (or potimarron) soup, Citrus crunch, Steak burger topped with egg, Cretan Bread, "Buttonhole" quail eggs, ... All
White haricot beansWhite haricot beans: You can check-out other recipes which use it, like for example: Cassoulet, Paimpol salad, Duo of slow-cooked pork, Cassoulet-style shepherd's pie., Warm haricot bean salad, ... All
Green beansGreen beans: You can check-out other recipes which use it, like for example: Macédoine of vegetables, Pork sautéed with green beans, Asian style, Green bean purée, How to prepare green beans, Mexican-style pork medallions , ... All
PeasPeas: You can check-out other recipes which use it, like for example: Fish fillet in express cooking envelope, Icelandic-style fish and vegetable pie, French-style peas, Chicken breasts in a potato crust, Eggs en Cocotte à la Française, ... All
Other recipes you may also like
Macarons (the original French macaroons)
Macarons (the original French macaroons)
This recipe really is "of the moment": the success of these small, highly-coloured cakes, in an infinite variety of flavours, is impressive. It's a recipe which needs some care, in order to produce a result worthy of a professional pastrychef. No problem, I will guide you through the recipe,...
1.6M 714.6 2 hours 38 min. October 3rd 2019
Almond cream or frangipane
Almond cream or frangipane
Light and delicious, it is used in a lot of desserts like tarts, cakes and pies (epiphany galette).
439K 25 44 min. January 23th 2022
Chocolate mousse
Chocolate mousse
Here is a simple quick recipe for chocolate mousse. It is just necessary to be careful at the final stage, when mixing the melted chocolate and the beaten egg-whites.
465K3.7 40 min. February 21th 2011
New leavened bread
New leavened bread
This new recipe for leavened bread is simple and delicious, but needs rather long resting times. If you'd like more more information about making your own bread, look at this dedicated page.
890K 34.3 7 hours December 30th 2019
Italian Meringue
Italian Meringue
Italian meringue is made with sugar cooked to 120°C or 248°F. This is different from the French, which is made from caster sugar. The cooked sugar gives a softer meringue which can be added to other preparations or use as it is.
461K4.3 30 min. June 2nd 2015
News list of cooking-ez.com

Sign up to receive the latest recipes (next batch due to be sent on 2024-03-31)

Your first name or nickname
Your e-mail
I am not a leaving thing
Note: We'll never share your e-mail address with anyone else.
Post your comment or question
Posted by:
I am not a leaving thing
Follow this recipe
If you are interested in this recipe, you can "follow" it, by entering your email address here. You will then receive a notification immediately each time the recipe is modified or a new comment is added. Please note that you will need to confirm this following.
I am not a leaving thing
Note: We'll never share your e-mail address with anyone else.
Alternatively: you can subscribe to the mailing list of cooling-ez.com , you will receive a e-mail for each new recipe published on the site.

Back to top of page