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Tuesday 25 April 2017

Tuscan-style winter vegetable soup


Yes, this blog is based in the UK and it may seem strange posting a winter vegetable soup recipe in April, but this week the weather here in some regions, is far more wintery than Spring-like.

I also thought that many of our readers, who live in the Southern Hemisphere, are now in their Autumn and they may just appreciate a delicious bowlful of soup!

I happened to see this recipe recently and thought it one to share. Some readers may find Cannellini beans a little 'carby', so as always dear reader it is important to note, that a variety of recipe ideas are within this blog, and not all may be suitable for you. If you may have any food allergies, or underlying health issues these must always be taken into account. If you are a diabetic and not sure how certain foods may affect your blood sugars, test is best, i.e. use your meter.

However, if you feel you'd like to give this recipe idea a try here is what you will need for four servings:
Ingredients:
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 celery stick, chopped
1 carrot, chopped
1 parsnip, chopped
1 onion, chopped ingredient
1 leek, white and pale green parts only, sliced and rinsed
2 tbsp olive oil
400g tin cannellini beans, drained
50g (2oz) grated cauliflower
1.2 litres (2 pints) vegetable stock
150g (5oz) kale or cavolo nero, shredded
25g (1oz) Parmesan, finely grated
3 tbsp green pesto

Method:
1. In a large saucepan, cook the garlic, celery, carrot, parsnip, onion and leeks gently in the olive oil for 10 minutes. Keep the heat low and stir often, until soft, but not browned.
2. Stir in the drained cannellini beans and grated cauliflower, followed by the vegetable stock. Bring to the boil and simmer for about 20 minutes, until the beans begin to break down.
3. Crush some beans with the back of a spoon to further thicken the soup. Stir in the shredded cavolo nero or kale and simmer for a final 5 minutes, adding a little water if it becomes too thick. Stir in half the pesto and half the cheese, dividing the soup between bowls and serving the remaining pesto and cheese on top of each bowlful.

Freezing and defrosting guidelines:
Make the soup, then leave to cool at room temperature. Freeze (without garnishes or toppings) in a rigid container, leaving a bit of space for expansion, for up to 1-3 months. Reheat either from frozen or defrost in the fridge overnight. Once piping hot, add toppings or garnishes and serve.

Adapted from an original Tesco Real Food recipe here

It certainly is a warming and tasty bowlful, full of vegetable goodness ... 

All the best Jan

33 comments:

Tom said...

...should warm you up.

DeniseinVA said...

Soup is great for us any time and in any case this has gone on my list. Looks delicious! Thanks Jan :)

Mylittlepieceofengland said...

It's definitely cold enough here for soup today, grey skies and rain, just the weather to have something hot and warm xx

Martha said...

A nice, hearty soup!

eileeninmd said...

Hello, it is a nice hearty soup. Would be perfect for this rainy chilly day. Thanks for sharing. Have a happy day and week ahead!

Mac n' Janet said...

This sounds delicious, I copied it immediately. Too hot here right now, but come winter I'll give it a try.

Valerie-Jael said...

This looks and sounds great, and very fitting just now with the cold temps! Hugs, Valerie

Jo said...

That's just the thing for a day like today, we've had everything here bar snow; sun, rain, hail and wind, and it's cold too. Spring? It's more like winter. Hope it's better weather where you are.

Mary Kirkland said...

That sounds really good since I already like all those ingredients.

Judith @ Lavender Cottage said...

A delicious and hearty looking soup.

Christine said...

so comforting!

Snowbird said...

What a fantastic looking soup! I bet it's delicious too....that would certainly warm me up, it's sleeting here. Where oh where did spring go?xxx

William Kendall said...

Everything but the beans sound good.

happyone said...

I like soup any time of year and this looks and sound delicious.

Sandra Cox said...

I just had vegetable soup for dinner!
I love soup and this recipe sounds sooooo good.

River said...

That does sound very warming and yummy.

Sue (this n that) said...

Thanks Jan, wouldn't have thought to use green pesto...something different. Happy week xx

Lorrie said...

Soup is on our table every month of the year. This one looks delicious!

peppylady (Dora) said...

It sound delious. Still cool enough for a nice bowl of soup.
Coffee is on

Margaret D said...

I bet that tastes nice.

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

This looks so healthy, and beautifully photographed. I also like soup all year long, except in the heat of a baking summer.

Prunella Pepperpot said...

It has been exceptionally cold these past few days and I too have been making homemade soup. Your recipe looks tasty, I juast need to pop and buy some cannellini beans to have a go.
Have a wonderfully warm Wednesday!

Francisco Manuel Carrajola Oliveira said...

Deve ser muito boa esta sopa de vegetais.
Um abraço e boa semana.

Andarilhar
Dedais de Francisco e Idalisa
Livros-Autografados

Revrunner said...

Ach, pesto! My downfall. :-)

Lowcarb team member said...

Francisco translation:
Must be very good this vegetable soup.
A hug and a good week.

Stephanie said...

Oh, this looks absolutely delicious! We are supposed to get rain/snow here today and tomorrow so soup would be perfect!

Hugs to you, sweet Jan!

PerthDailyPhoto said...

We definitely do appreciate yummy soup recipes in winter Jan, u fortunately although we're well into Autumn the tempts are still middle to high 25C. But will take note!

Lisabella Russo said...

Oh that looks delicious! I would like to try making it at some point.

Conniecrafter said...

we hit the 70's F today but are suppose to go down to the 40's tonight, it has been an interesting spring that's for sure, sounds like this might be good for a lot of us still, good to hear in your comment that you have seen a bit of sun too :)

Debbie said...

This looks and sounds so hearty, almost stew like!! We eat soup year round, I like to make it in the summer in my crock pot when I don't want to turn the oven on!!

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

This looks delicious! I love soups of all kinds and make them often, all year round. It's a good way to eat lots of vegetables!

Linda said...

Wow, this looks scrumptious, colourful and heartwarming!

Magic Love Crow said...

Sounds so good Jan! Today it is so cold outside! I wish I could be eating this right now! LOL! Hugs!