Umbrian Vegetable Soup



This recipe courtesy of the Huffington Post


1⁄2 cup packed basil leaves
1⁄4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling

2 tbsp. minced fresh flat-leaf parsley
4 cloves garlic
1⁄2 medium onion, cut into chunks
8 oz. red new potatoes, cut into 1⁄2" cubes
3 stalks celery, minced
2 medium carrots, minced
2 plum tomatoes, cored and minced
Kosher salt, to taste
3 oz. spinach, trimmed and rinsed
(about 2 loosely packed cups)

1 1⁄2 cups canned cannellini beans, rinsed
1 cup fresh or frozen green peas

1⁄2 small head frisée, leaves cut into bite-size pieces (about 2 cups)
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Freshly grated Grana Padano or Parmesan, for serving

1. Place half the basil, 2 tbsp. oil, parsley, garlic, and onions in the bowl of a food processor and process until slightly chunky. Heat remaining oil in an 8-qt. pot over medium-high heat and add herb–garlic mixture. Cook, stirring often, until no liquid remains, about 5 minutes. Add potatoes, celery, carrots, and tomatoes. Cook, stirring often, until vegetables are golden brown, about 6 minutes. Add salt and 4 cups water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low; cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are tender, about 20 minutes.

2. Stir in spinach, beans, peas, and frisée and cook until greens are wilted and just tender, about 10 minutes; season with salt and pepper and stir in remaining basil. To serve, ladle soup into bowls, sprinkle with Grana Padano, and drizzle with oil.

SERVES 12

Ham and Cheese Bake

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
3/4 cup part skim ricotta cheese
1/3 cup skim milk
1/4 cup low fat sour cream
1/4 cup chopped green onion
2 tbsp grated parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 medium red skinned potatoes, cooked and diced (about 2 cups)
1 cup small broccoli flowerets, cooked
1 cup diced cooked ham

Preheat oven to 350 F. Spray a 1 1/2 quart casserole with cooking spray; set aside.

In a large bowl, combine 3/4 cup of cheddar, ricotta, milk, sour cream, green onion, parmesan and pepper. Mix well. Add potatoes, broccoli, and ham to the cheese mixture. Stir until thoroughly coated. Spoon potato mixture into prepared casserole and smooth the top. Sprinkle the remaining cheddar over top. Cover the casserole tightly with foil, bake until golden brown and heated through, about 10 minutes.

Roasted Chicken Thighs Provencal

3 pounds small red potatoes, quartered
4 plum tomatoes, seeded and cut into 6 wedges
3 carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
Cooking spray
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 1/2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary, divided
2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme, divided
1 teaspoon salt, divided
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided
6 (6-ounce) skinless chicken thighs
24 black olives
Rosemary sprigs (optional)

Preheat oven to 425°.

Place potatoes, tomatoes, and carrots on a jelly-roll pan coated with cooking spray. Drizzle vegetable mixture with olive oil; sprinkle with 1 tablespoon chopped rosemary, 1 teaspoon thyme, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Toss gently, and spread into a single layer on pan. Bake at 425° for 30 minutes. Remove vegetable mixture from pan, and keep warm.

Sprinkle chicken with remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons chopped rosemary, remaining 1 teaspoon thyme, remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Add chicken and olives to pan. Bake at 425° for 35 minutes or until chicken is done. Garnish with rosemary sprigs, if desired.

6 servings (serving size: 1 chicken thigh, 1 2/3 cups vegetable mixture, and 4 olives)

Herbed Potato Slices

3 medium potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
1 medium onion, thinly sliced
1 teaspoon dried basil or oregano
2 tablespoons melted butter

Put half of the sliced potatoes and half of the sliced onions in a buttered 9-inch pie plate. Sprinkle with half of the dried herbs and drizzle with 1 tablespoon of the butter. Repeat layers, ending with remaining melted butter.

Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Cover plate with foil. Bake at 425° for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake for 15 to 20 minutes longer, or until potatoes are tender.Serves 4

Herbed Potato Slices

•3 medium potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
•1 medium onion, thinly sliced
•1 teaspoon dried basil or oregano
•2 tablespoons melted butter

Put half of the sliced potatoes and half of the sliced onions in a buttered 9-inch pie plate. Sprinkle with half of the dried herbs and drizzle with 1 tablespoon of the butter. Repeat layers, ending with remaining melted butter.

Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Cover plate with foil. Bake at 425° for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake for 15 to 20 minutes longer, or until potatoes are tender.

Serves 4.

Basic Pot Roast

4 to 5 pounds beef roast
1 tablespoon shortening
salt
1/4 cup water
1 medium onion, sliced
1 cup diced rutabaga or turnip
1 cup diced carrots
1 cup diced potatoes
1/4 cup sliced celery with leaves
2 teaspoons dried parsley flakes
salt and pepper to taste

In Dutch Oven or heavy kettle, brown meat on all sides in hot shortening. Sprinkle with salt. Add water and sliced onion. Cover and simmer for 3 to 4 hours. Add remaining ingredients; simmer for 30 minutes more, or until vegetables are done.

Remove meat and thicken liquid with flour and water paste To thicken: Stir a few tablespoons of water into a few tablespoons of flour and stir until smooth. Stir hot liquid while adding small amounts of flour paste until thickened as desired. Taste and season pot roast with salt and pepper to taste.