Minestrone

Minestrone actually just refers to a chunky soup in Italian. Calling this recipe minestrone is very generic but it is my version of what most people would think about when they hear the word minestrone. Beans, veggies, sausage (turkey of course), and pasta. I know I've done similar recipes before but this one I think is my favorite. Perfect for cold winter days. The hot Italian sausage gives it a little kick. If you don't like spicy, substitute mild sausage.

Minestrone

1/4 C EVOO, plus extra for sprinkling
1 small onion, diced
2 carrots, diced
3 stalks celery, diced
3 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
1 lb hot Italian turkey sausage
1 28oz can diced tomatoes
2 cans cannellini beans, drained
3/4 C white wine
3 C chicken broth
1 C beef broth
2 bay leaves
1/2 bunch kale
4 big handfuls fresh spinach
4 handfuls orechiette pasta
Salt and pepper
Fresh grated parmigiano reggiano

In a large stock pot, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add onion, carrot, and celery and sauté until soft, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and sauté another minute or two. Remove sausage from casing and add to pot, sautéing until cooked through. Once meat is cooked through (no longer pink), add tomatoes and ONE can beans. Stir together and cook until bubbly. Add wine. Add broths and bay leaves. Bring to a boil and simmer about 10 minutes. Meanwhile, blend one can of the beans into a puree. (This can be done with an immersion blender or in a regular blender. Ladle a little of the hot broth for the pot for easier pureeing.)

Add bean puree and simmer another 5-10 minutes. Remove bay leaves. (Once you add greens, you'll never be able to find the bay leaves again...until someone bites down on one.) Meanwhile, remove kale from tough stalk and chop leaves. Add those with spinach to soup. Add pasta and cook until al dente. Season with salt and pepper. Ladle soup into bowls. While still steaming hot, drizzle with a little olive oil and top with parmigiano. Serve with tasty bread.

*For CF, leave cheese off top. For GF, either use GF pasta or omit pasta altogether.