Lunch: Kale Minestrone with Pistou

Recipe by Claire Saffitz For rave-worthy soups, skip the store-bought stock. You can extract a cleaner, stronger broth from a combination of water and several pantry ingredients. It's all about layering powerful flavorenhancers that you probably already

This recipe includes fertility superfoods such as:

Kale

Health and fertility benefits of Kale Minestrone with Pistou

Kale is an excellent source of calcium, which has an important role in egg maturation and follicle development in the ovaries.

Ingredients

3 sprigs oregano
3 sprigs rosemary
2 bay leaves
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 ounces pancetta (Italian bacon), chopped (optional)
1 onion, chopped
1 leek, white and pale-green parts only, thinly sliced
2 carrots, peeled, chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Kosher salt
2 tablespoons tomato paste 1 28-ounce can whole peeled tomatoes, drained
1 Parmesan rind (about 2 ounces; optional)
3 cups cooked cannellini beans, cooking liquid reserved if desired, or two 15-ounce cans, rinsed
Freshly ground black pepper
12 ounces baby Yukon Gold potatoes, scrubbed, cut into 1/2" pieces
1/2 bunch Tuscan kale, ribs and stems removed, leaves torn into 1" pieces

Instructions

Tie oregano, rosemary, and bay leaves together with kitchen twine.
Heat oil in a large heavy pot over medium. Add pancetta, if using, and cook, stirring often, until browned around the edges, about 5 minutes. Add onion, leek, carrots, celery, garlic, and red pepper flakes; season with salt. Cook, stirring often, until onion is translucent and carrots are tender, 10 –12 minutes. Add tomato paste and cook, stirring to coat, until slightly darkened, about 3 minutes.
Add tomatoes, crushing with your hands as you go, then herb bundle, Parmesan rind, if using, and 6 cups water or reserved bean cooking liquid, or a combination. Season with salt and pepper and bring to a boil. Add potatoes, reduce heat, and simmer until potatoes are tender and flavors have melded, 20 –25 minutes. Add kale and beans; cook until kale is tender, about 5 minutes. Discard Parmesan rind and herb bundle.
Do ahead: Soup can be made 2 days ahead (or 2 months if frozen). Let cool; transfer to airtight containers and chill.

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