Homestyle Minestrone Recipe

Ingredients
250g dried Italian soup bean mix (see note)
1/4 cup (60ml) extra virgin olive oil
1 large onion, finely chopped
1 garlic clove, finely chopped
2 celery stalks, finely chopped
2 carrots, finely chopped
100g sliced pancetta, chopped
2 tablespoons tomato paste
400g canned chopped tomatoes
3L chicken or vegetable stock
2 bay leaves
1 2/3 cups (200g) frozen peas
1/4 savoy cabbage, core removed, thinly sliced (to give 1 1/2 cups)
150g ditalini, small macaroni or other short tubular pasta
1/2 cup pesto alla genovese (see related recipe)
Freshly grated parmesan, to serve

Method

Step 1. Place the Italian soup bean mix in a large bowl, cover with cold water and leave to soak overnight.

Step 2. The next day, drain the beans and rinse well. Place the oil in a large, heavy-based saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the onion, garlic, celery, carrot and pancetta, then cook for 10 minutes, stirring, until the vegetables have softened. Add tomato paste and stir for a further minute. Add drained beans, canned tomatoes, stock and bay leaves. Increase heat to high and bring to the boil, then partially cover, reduce heat to low and simmer for 2 hours, stirring occasionally to prevent catching, until the beans are tender.

Step 3. Add the peas, cabbage and pasta, then cook, uncovered, for a further 10 minutes or until the pasta is al dente and the peas and cabbage are tender. Season to taste with salt and pepper (adding salt earlier can make the beans tough). Ladle the minestrone into bowls, then swirl through some pesto and serve topped with shaved parmesan.