Skip to main content

Angelina Zuppa Zuppa


I'm usually pretty good about following recipes.  However when it comes to soup, I feel like all the rules can go out the window.  Soup is so versatile and easy to make, it's a great addition to your weekly menu. Since I can never cook for two people (I think that's one reason Jon married me), there are plenty of leftovers for lunches or even to put in the freezer for a busy week ahead.  For this soup, I made up the recipe since I couldn't find one that I wanted to make. So I'll do my best to get all of the details written out for you, so you can try it at home.  Have fun and feel free to add or omit things to your liking!  Buon Appetito!

Angelina Zuppa Zuppa
Makes: 6-8 servings

3 Tbsp olive oil
1 yellow onion diced
3 garlic cloves small diced
2 lbs sweet Italian sausage casings removed
2 tsp salt
2 tsp pepper
2 tsp dried oregano
3 tsp dried thyme
2 tsp dried basil
2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp red pepper chili flakes
2 bay leaves
1 Zucchini diced
1 russet potato peeled and diced
2 carrots peeled and diced
1 28 oz can of stewed tomatoes
2 Tbsp tomato paste
1 14oz can of cannelloni beans
32 oz Beef Broth
1 bunch of swiss chard leaves removed and roughly chopped

In a large dutch oven, add olive oil on medium heat.  Once the oil is warm, add the onion and cook until translucent, about 7 minutes.  Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.  Squeeze the sausage out of the casing into the pot and break up meat with a wooden spoon. When the meat is fully cooked, drain off some of the fat. I did this the fancy way by tipping the pan and soaking up the fat with paper towels and tongs.  Once you've got most of the fat, add in all the spices (salt, pepper, oregano, thyme, basil, paprika, chili flakes, and bay leaves).  Stir so the meat gets fully coated in the spices and then add remaining ingredients except the swiss chard.  Bring to a boil for 5 minutes, and then lower heat to a simmer and cover the pot.  Cook the soup for 45 minutes so flavors blend.  Add the swiss chard and cook for another 5 minutes.  Turn off heat and let cool slightly before serving into soup bowls.  Enjoy!

Didn't use all the ingredients I planned because it didn't fit into the pot. #italianproblems

Rachel Ray taught me to use a garbage bowl. Very helpful!

Tomato paste is better in a tube so you can save it in the refrigerator. 

Ladle up!

I served it with crusty bread, yum!



Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Gifts for the Host

One of my favorite things about the holiday season is that there are a million reasons right now to throw a holiday party.  Here are some examples: cookie exchange party, holiday movie night party, ugly Christmas sweater party, or maybe a let's-drive-around-the-neighborhood-and-look-at-lights-party (if you drink the spiked egg nog before driving around, consider this a walking party).  Whatever the reason, holiday parties are a wonderful time to get together with friends.  Hosting is not an easy job, but it makes it more enjoyable when guests show up with a nice gift.  Here are some great hosting gifts under $50 to give this holiday season. A new way to keep white wine chilled A great game for the long winter nights in by the fire These throws are super soft and cozy Homemade popcorn is the best. Try this recipe with it! This reminds me of a martini shaker I would see in a James Bond film.

No Cook Antipasti

This past weekend we hosted a few friends over for some wine and antipasti.  This was a perfect menu for me because cooking in my kitchen during the summertime is very dangerous.  I think if I turn the oven on for more than 20 minutes, my kitchen shelves will begin to melt.  We live in a traditional older Uptown duplex, and with only one window air conditioner, cooking in my kitchen becomes an activity similar to sitting in a sauna.  I tend to make the most of fresh food, and take advantage of our specialty foods in the nearby grocery stores.  Hosting an antipasti party allowed me to assemble, rather than cook, and the results were delicious.  This weekend allowed me to participate in the best parts of the summer;  eating fresh, natural, and simple food. Caprese on a stick Sun dried tomato and parmesan cheese Antipasti platter

Luck be a lady...

In case you haven't already heard, it's out with the old and in with the new at Mall of America.  Not that I didn't love Bloomingdales, but it's time Minnesota caught up with the rest of the world, and get some great retail stores in the supposed "Mall of America."  I am excited and downright giddy to announce that MOA will now have four new stores in replace of the Bloomingdales location:  Zara, Topshop, Madewell, and Tory Burch.  To say I am happier than a bird with a french fry, is an understatement.  My trips to MOA are going to dramatically increase to the point where I should look into a reserving a spot in the parking lot.  To prepare properly for this special occasion, I have been online window shopping again, and picked out some items I will hope to find in the new stores.  Here are some of my favorites. This Topshop dress will be perfect at weddings this summer. A Madewell llama necklace .  Need I say more? I li...