Recipe for a great winter soup

[Guest guest]

Tuscan Winter Vegetable Soup

Adapted from The Strang Cookbook for Cancer Prevention, by Laura

Pensiero and Susan Oliveira (Dutton, 1998).

I first got this recipe from a Care2.com e-newsletter.

 

3 cups cooked or canned chickpeas

2 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed

3 medium celery stalks, chopped

3 medium carrots, peeled and chopped

1 large red onion, peeled and chopped

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 bunches Swiss chard, cleaned

1/2 head Napa or Savoy cabbage

1/4 cup chopped Italian parsley

2 fresh rosemary sprigs, (leave on stem)

One 14 1/2-ounce can plum tomatoes, drained

6 cups boiling water or vegetable broth

5 ounces stale bread, such as semolina or baguette, sliced (about 3/4

loaf)

salt and pepper

1. In a large saucepan over medium-low heat, saute the garlic, celery,

carrots, and onion in the olive oil for about 20 minutes, stirring often

so the vegetables do not brown.

 

2. Cut out the tough triangular inner core of the Swiss chard leaves and

slice them into 1/2-inch slices. Add to the vegetables in the saucepan.

Tear the Swiss chard leaves and set aside.

 

3. Cut out the triangular core of the 1/2 cabbage head, then discard.

Place the cabbage, flat side down, on a cutting board. With a large

chef's knife, slice at close intervals down the cabbage, forming long,

ribbonlike strips. Set aside with the Swiss chard leaves.

 

4. Add the parsley, rosemary sprigs, and tomatoes to the saucepan and

cook at a low simmer for 15 more minutes. Add cabbage and Swiss chard

leaves, half of the chickpeas, and enough boiling water or stock to

cover. Simmer for 20 minutes.

 

5. Puree remaining chickpeas in a food processor and add to the soup

with just enough boiling water or stock to keep the soup liquid. Remove

the rosemary sprigs and add the bread slices. Add more liquid if

necessary, but keep in mind that the soup should have a very thick " stew

like " consistency. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

 

Serves 8.

 

 

from Maida

Citizens for Pets in Condos, http://www.petsincondos.org

South Florida Vegetarian Events, http://www.soflavegevents.net