It's Zuppa!

Winter is not my favorite season.  Usually, it's cold and damp...  that combination just makes one's bones ache.

However, there is one thing that I really like about winter...  It's soup season!  I love, love, love soup!

Tonight, I made Pasta y Fagioli.  It's an Italian soup that combines pasta and beans.  This was the first time I made it and it really turned out good.

Here's the recipe...

1 large sprig of fresh rosemary

6-8 sprigs of fresh thyme

1 bay leaf

Put the herbs in a piece of cheesecloth and secure closed with some kitchen twine.

6 cups of chicken stock
Leftover roasted chicken meat

In a large pot, heat at a simmer the 6 cups of chicken stock and add the herb package to it.  I use fresh made stock.

3 oz diced pancetta

Pasta y Fagioli Zuppa

1 large onion diced fine

1 stalk of celery, diced fine

1 carrot, sliced thin

2 cloves of garlic, minced

1 tbs olive oil

1 tbs butter

Heat the oil & butter in a saute pan.  Add the pancetta, garlic, carrot, celery, and onion.  Saute until tender and then add all to the chicken stock.

12 cherry tomatoes cut in half

1 can red kidney beans (drained & rinsed)

1 can white kidney beans (drained & rinsed)

After adding the saute'd vegetables, slice 12 or so cherry tomatoes in half and add to the pot.  Also add in the drained & rinsed beans.

Salt & pepper to taste.

About 8 minutes before serving, add 1 cup of pasta, such as elbows, bows, or ditali.  Cook until the pasta is el dente and serve with a dusting of Parmesan cheese and/or red pepper flakes or "naked"!

Enjoy!

Winter is Officially Here...

Well, winter is here. For the first time since April, we have turned on the furnace. Last night it was cold. (How cold was it?) It was cold enough that the all day rain we had yesterday turned to ice on the cars, the grass, the trees.... We drove into town through the pass and there was snow on the mountain. True it was the 2nd snowfall on the mountain this autumn, but it stayed. The other one, back in September, was gone by the time we were headed home. This snow was still there at sunset. Bleh....

The only good thing about winter is that it is the start of hunting season. Opening day is in two weeks. Hurrah! It's been a long six months. Soon, the hounds & I will be out chasing rabbits for dinner.

Yep... winter is here.