Minestrone soup recipe James Martin
Minestrone soup recipe James Martin is a hearty and flavorful Italian vegetable soup that is perfect for chilly days. This classic dish features a delicious blend of fresh vegetables, herbs, beans, pasta and tomatoes simmered together to create a comforting bowl of goodness. The recipe includes instructions on how to make the soup from scratch using simple ingredients like carrots, celery, onion and garlic. It can be served as an appetizer or main course with some crusty bread on the side. With its rich flavors and wholesome ingredients, this minestrone soup is sure to become a family favorite!
Why people also love Minestrone soup recipe James Martin
People also love James Martin’s minestrone soup recipe because it is a healthy and nutritious meal that is packed with vegetables, beans, and pasta. It is easy to make from scratch using simple ingredients that are readily available in most kitchens. The soup has a rich flavor profile due to the combination of herbs and spices used in the recipe. It can be customized according to individual preferences by adding or omitting certain ingredients. Additionally, this soup can be made in large batches which makes it perfect for feeding a crowd or storing leftovers for later use. Overall, people love this minestrone soup recipe because it is delicious, wholesome and satisfying!
Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, crushed
- 3 carrots, peeled and diced
- 3 celery sticks, diced
- Handful of fresh thyme sprigs or dried thyme leaves (1 tsp)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 400g tin of chopped tomatoes
- Small handful of basil leaves roughly torn up
- Chicken stock cube or vegetable bouillon powder (dissolved in water according to instructions on packet)
- 100g green beans trimmed and cut into short lengths
- 200g canned cannellini beans drained and rinsed
- 60g small pasta shapes such as macaroni shells
Instructions:
- First of all,Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. After this,Add the onion, garlic, carrots and celery and cook for 10 minutes until softened.
- Add the thyme leaves or sprigs to the pan along with a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook for another minute.
- Pour in the chopped tomatoes and stir well. Bring to a simmer then add in basil leaves.
- Dissolve chicken stock cube or vegetable bouillon powder according to instructions on packet then pour into soup mixture; bring back up to simmer
- Stir in green beans, cannellini beans and pasta shapes (macaroni shells) then leave it all cooking together for around 15-20 minutes until everything is tender but not mushy.
- Season again with salt & freshly ground black pepper if needed before serving.
Quick Facts
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
- Total Time: 50-55 minutes
- Difficulty: Easy
- Yield: Serves 4
Equipment Needed:
- Large saucepan or pot
- Wooden spoon
- Knife and chopping board
Servings Suggestions:
You can serve this soup as a main dish with some crusty bread on the side. It also works well as an appetizer before a meal.
Expert Tips & Tricks:
- Use fresh herbs wherever possible to enhance the flavor of this soup.
- If you prefer your soup to have more liquid, add extra stock or water.
- To make this recipe vegetarian/vegan-friendly, use vegetable bouillon powder instead of chicken stock cube.
Nutrition Information:
250 calories, 8g protein, 35g carbohydrates, and 9g fat. It is also a good source of fiber and vitamins.
Presentation:
Serve the minestrone soup hot in bowls garnished with some freshly grated parmesan cheese and a sprig of fresh basil. You can also add some crusty bread on the side to make it more filling. Enjoy!
Variations and substitutions for Minestrone soup recipe James Martin:
- Add Meat: You can add cooked ground beef, chicken or sausage to make it more filling.
- Use Different Vegetables: Feel free to use any vegetables you have on hand such as zucchini, bell peppers, sweet potatoes or butternut squash.
- Change the Beans: Instead of cannellini beans, try using kidney beans or chickpeas for a different flavor and texture.
- Substitute Pasta Shapes: If you don’t have macaroni shells on hand, feel free to substitute with other small pasta shapes like ditalini or elbow macaroni.
- Make It Vegan-Friendly: To make this recipe vegan-friendly omit the parmesan cheese garnish and use vegetable bouillon powder instead of chicken stock cube.
- Add Some Spice: If you like your soup to have a little kick, add some red pepper flakes or chili powder.
- Make It Creamy: For a creamier version of this recipe, stir in some heavy cream or coconut milk at the end of cooking.
- Change Up the Herbs: Try using different herbs such as thyme, oregano or rosemary for a unique flavor profile.
- Add Some Greens: To make this soup even more nutritious and flavorful, add some leafy greens like spinach or kale towards the end of cooking.
- Use Different Broth/Base: Instead of chicken stock cube, try using beef broth/stock base to give it an earthier flavor.
Recommendations and notices:
- Chop the vegetables into small, bite-sized pieces. This helps them cook evenly.
- If you’re using canned beans, rinse them thoroughly before adding them to the soup to remove any excess salt or preservatives.
- Be careful not to overcook the pasta as it can become mushy and lose its texture.
- Taste and adjust seasoning as needed before serving – add more salt or pepper if necessary.
- This soup can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days or frozen for up to 2 months.
- To reheat, simply heat on low-medium heat until warmed through while stirring occasionally.
FAQ for Minestrone soup recipe James Martin
Yes, you can easily adapt this recipe to cook in a slow cooker. Simply add all the ingredients except the pasta into your slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. Add the pasta during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
Yes, you can substitute fresh herbs with dried herbs. Use half as much dried herb as fresh herb called for in the recipe. For example, if the recipe calls for 1 tablespoon of fresh thyme, use 1/2 tablespoon of dried thyme instead.
Yes, you can make this soup ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days or freeze it for up to 2 months.
Minestrone soup pairs well with crusty bread or garlic bread. You can also add some grated parmesan cheese on top before serving.
Conclusion
James Martin’s minestrone soup recipe is an easy-to-make yet delicious and nutritious soup that is perfect for any occasion. It is packed with fresh vegetables, herbs, beans and pasta which makes it a hearty meal on its own or served as an appetizer. The recipe can be customized to suit individual tastes by adding or omitting certain ingredients. This soup is not only flavorful but also healthy due to the abundance of veggies used in the recipe. Overall, this minestrone soup recipe is a classic Italian dish that will warm you up from the inside out!
