Tag: Cabbage

Soupe au pistou

Natalie Hanson

This soup owes its name to the pistou paste (pesto) which is added before serving and consist of fresh basil, garlic and olive oil. In summertime when the tomatoes are good, their pulp can be added to the pistou paste. A traditional dish such as this one does not have a recipe set in stone. Each family has its own variation.

Soup

1/2 lb of beans – a mixture of pinto beans (or red kidney beans) and navy beans
1/4 lb of fresh lima beans if available
1/4 cup of olive oil
1 lb of green beans
4 onions
2 leeks
4 or 5 celery stalks
6 carrots
6 zucchinis
1 small head of green cabbage
2 or 3 potatoes (optional)
3 Tbsp of olive oil
Bouquet garni (thyme, bay leaf and parsley)
Salt and pepper 
Parmesan cheese

  • Follow the instructions on bean packages since some varieties of beans should be soaked overnight.  Dry beans need to be parboiled, so cook them for about 1/2 hour in 8 cups of salted water and let them soak.
  • In the meantime, string the green beans if needed, snap off ends and cut into pieces.
  • Peel and slice the leeks, the onions, the celery and the carrots.
  • Peel and dice the potatoes if you include them.
  • Dice the zucchini, unpeeled.
  • Coarsely chop the cabbage.
  • Heat the olive oil in a large pan.
  • Add the onions and the leeks.
  • Cook on medium high until golden brown (be careful not to burn).
  • Drain the beans and add them to the pot along with all the other vegetables including the fresh lima beans.
  • Add enough water to cover the vegetables.
  • Add the bouquet garni, salt and pepper.
  • Cook slowly, covered, for 1 1/2 hour or until the vegetables are tender.
  • Add the pistou to the soup and cook a few more minutes.
  • Serve immediately with some parmesan cheese.

Pistou

2 cups of fresh basil
4 to 6 garlic cloves
salt and pepper
1/2 cup of olive oil

Place garlic, basil, salt and pepper in a food processor or a mortar and blend to a smooth paste.  Slowly pour in the olive oil.  Put in a bowl and cover with a thin layer of olive oil if not used immediately.

Italian sausage soup

Natalie Hanson

1 pound hot Italian sausage
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 cup diced onion
1 clove garlic, minced
1 cup sliced carrots
1 tsp basil
2 small zucchini
1 can (28 oz) whole Italian tomatoes, chopped, undrained
2 cans (14.5 oz each) organic beef broth
2 cups shredded cabbage
1 can (15.5 oz) of Great Northern beans
salt & pepper

  • Slice sausage into half inch pieces and remove skin
  • Brown in oil
  • Add next four ingredients (onion, garlic, carrots, basil)
  • Cook 5 minutes
  • Add next five ingredients (zucchini, tomatoes, broth, cabbage)
  • Heat and simmer covered for 1 hour
  • Add beans and liquid
  • Cook another 20 minutes
  • Serve and top with shredded parmesan, if desired

Salade tourangelle

Natalie Hanson

This is a salad made with different vegetables, raw or cooked, each kept separate, but served together in the same dish.  You can include:

  • Asparagus tips, artichoke hearts or green beans – cooked and sprinkled with a vinaigrette to which you have added pepper, some finely chopped shallots, tarragon, and a little garlic and parsley.
  • Raw Savoy cabbage or red cabbage – sliced thin and sprinkled with the above dressing.
  • Sticks of celery – remove all the strings and serve raw, sprinkle with lemon juice, salt and pepper.
  • Raw button mushrooms – finely sliced and sprinkle with lemon juice. Dress with heavy cream flavored with mustard and seasoned with salt and pepper.
  • Cucumbers – marinated with vinegar and salt, drained. Dress with sour cream and fresh dill.

Roast 1 or 2 cups of walnuts in a 400°F oven for 8 minutes. Chop coarsely and sprinkle in the various dressings.