Name: Home-style minestrone
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 75 min
Yield: 6
Ingredients: 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil; 2 celery stalles, finely chopped; 2 carrots, finely chopped; 1 large onion, finely chopped; 100 gram sliced pancetta, chopped; 1 garlic clove, finely chopped; 2 tablespoon tomato paste; 6 cup chicken or vegetable stock; 400 gram can diced tomatoes; 1/4 cup red lentils; 2 bay leaves; 1/2 cup small macaroni or other short tubular pasta; 1/4 savoy cabbage, core removed, thinly sliced (to make 1 1/2 cups); 400 gram can chickpeas, drained, rinsed; 400 gram can butterbeans, drained, rinsed; 1/2 cup prepared pesto; shaved parmesan, to serve

Ingredients

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

2 celery stalles, finely chopped

2 carrots, finely chopped

1 large onion, finely chopped

100 gram sliced pancetta, chopped

1 garlic clove, finely chopped

2 tablespoon tomato paste

6 cup chicken or vegetable stock

400 gram can diced tomatoes

1/4 cup red lentils

2 bay leaves

1/2 cup small macaroni or other short tubular pasta

1/4 savoy cabbage, core removed, thinly sliced (to make 1 1/2 cups)

400 gram can chickpeas, drained, rinsed

400 gram can butterbeans, drained, rinsed

1/2 cup prepared pesto

shaved parmesan, to serve

Method

1.Heat oil in a large, heavy-based saucepan over medium heat. Add celery, carrot, onion, pancetta and garlic and cook, stirring, for 10 minutes or until vegetables are tender.

2.Mix in tomato paste, then stock, tomatoes, lentils and bay leaves. Bring to the boil. Partially cover, reduce heat to low and simmer for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lentils are tender.

3.Add pasta and cook, uncovered, for a further 10 minutes, until al dente. Stir in cabbage, chickpeas and beans. Season to taste. Simmer for 3-5 minutes.

4.Ladle into bowls, then swirl pesto through. Serve topped with parmesan.

If preferred, use 1 cup dried Italian soup bean mix (available from supermarkets and greengrocers) in place of canned beans and lentils. Soak a day ahead.
Note

Woman's Weekly Food

From classic Kiwi favourites, quick weeknight dinners and elevated meals for special occasions, our recipes are local and delicious and thoroughly tested so you know you can trust them to work. Discover tips and tricks to enhance your cooking skills, learn about seasonal ingredients, and stay up-to-date with the latest food trends. We're more than just recipes; we're your trusted kitchen companion.

Ingredients

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