This tantalizing meal-starter, which comes to you straight from Mama Leone’s kitchen, is actually a meal in itself. HINT: When we asked Mama if her preferred brand of olive oil is imported from Sicily, she replied innocently, “There another kind?”
| Ingredients |
| 1 1/4 c dried beans, kidney or white (navy) beans |
| 5 oz bacon |
| 3 Tbsp olive oil |
| 1 large onion |
| 3 carrots |
| 2 potatoes |
| 1 Tbsp tomato paste |
| 3 qt water |
| 3 c thinly cabbage |
| 1 c uncooked macaroni |
1/2tsp D.D. Williamson
Caramel Color Powder |
| |
| Suggested Seasonings |
| |
| 2 bay leaves |
| 4 tsp salt |
| 1/2 tsp pepper |
| 1/4 tsp basil |
| 1/4 tsp rosemary |
| 1/4 tsp celery salt |
Directions:
Preparation: Put beans in a bowl, cover with water, and let sit overnight.
Next Day:
- Drain beans and put beans in a saucepan. Cover with water and simmer until the beans are cooked – may take 1 1/2 hrs.
- Place bacon in a separate saucepan, cover with water and bring to a boil.
- Remove from the heat, replace the hot water with cold water until the bacon cools down. Remove the bacon from the pan and place on some paper towels to dry.
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot and brown the bacon (you may want to cut the bacon into bite-sized pieces) over medium heat for about 3 minutes.
- Add the onions, carrots, and potatoes. Cook briefly for about 5 minutes.
- Add the tomato paste and cook for a few more minutes.
- Add the water and simmer for 10 minutes (you may want to remove the fat, if it appears on the surface).
- Add the seasonings of your choice or the Suggested Seasonings.
- Add the cabbage and cook for 5 minutes.
- Drain the beans and add to the soup and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Add the pasta and cook until the pasta is done, about 15 minutes.
- Taste the soup and make any adjustments to the seasonings.
- Add the D.D. Williamson Caramel Color Powder. You may want to add a little more than the recipe suggests depending on your visual preference.
- Eat and enjoy!
Serving Suggestions:
For an individual serving, sprinkle some parmesan cheese on top of the bowl of soup. Some breads rolls would accompany this dish nicely.
Tips:
- The seasonings for this soup allow for a lot of room for creativity and adventure. If you have a bouquet garni feel free to use it with your favorite seasonings.
- Celery may be added with the carrots, potatoes, and onions for variation.
- If you prefer more of a “hot” flavor, add your favorite type of pepper.