Wednesday

Minestrone ~ A Lighter Version




I saw this recipe on my friend Monique's beautiful blog
La Table de Nana recently ~ it looked so good
and full of fresh veggies that it made me want to make it
right away.  

But we've had the hottest summer on modern record
here, so I had to put it off for a few days.  Now that the overnight
temperatures have begun to 'fall' (pun intended),
the time was right.

I was so surprised when I opened the link to the recipe,
because this is nearly identical to the vegetable soup
I make ~ except I never use an exact recipe. So I was
really happy to see the it with actual measurements to
share with people who don't use my cooking method.





As Monique did,  I substituted chicken broth/stock
for the vegetable stock ~ so if you want a vegetarian
version, use the veggie stock.

This one always pleases, and it's got lots of gorgeous
color so it's healthful and pleasing to the eye as well.

Since it's zucchini harvest time, I also swapped out the
spinach (or other greens) for this version.
If you want more protein, add some leftover cooked chicken,
Italian Sausage, beef (ground or cubed) during the
last few minutes to heat through, before serving.





These "Pesto Crisps"?

Meh, they were just okay. 
The recipe sounded good as I ran my virtual tongue over it...
all the ingredients you would find in pesto; fresh basil, 
Parmesano Reggiano, garlic, pine nuts, olive oil ~ 
plus a little flour and aged white cheddar.  

Thumbs down at my house.
Instead of eating them along side as you would crackers, 
I ended up breaking them up and floating them in the bowls of soup ~
(not pictured...)

If you want something similar, I would recommend
this version ~ similar, but a bit different and infinitely better.
Tried, true recipe ~ everybody gobbles them up!


But the soup gets 5 stars!



Thank you for finding the recipe and sharing it Monique!
And thanks to everyone for stopping by today.

Your comments make my day.  :-)


Bon Appétit!



 




10 comments:

  1. The soup really does look delicious! I tried a new soup recipe recently even though it was hot. A little cooler now but I like soup year round.

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  2. Isn't it funny?
    Your pesto crisps looked so good I was ready to make..now:)
    Thank you for your honest critique!!
    Your soup..and crackers are just beautiful..
    I too love soups for lunch:)

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  3. Lorraine, Me too ~ Same Same. I love soup all year round... some in my family are not of the same mind set about this. (So I enjoy it for lunch on my own ~ a happy compromise!) xo

    Monique, I must thank you again for sharing so many fabulous recipes, this one especially 'clicked' ~ it's the way I cook (and the cheese rinds truly help to add additional flavor.)

    The 'crisps' ~ yes, a disappointment. Before I tasted them I snapped the shot . . . the question then was to post it with our impression of them or not. Maybe the recipe could be tweaked because I liked the idea of the ingredients.

    Thank you for stopping by ladies!

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  4. I love the look of your soup. Earlier I made pasta pesto with gemelli and I loved their texture. I will have to try your soup.

    The crackers look wonderful I can’t believe they are meh – maybe a smear of goat cheese????

    I made your Raspberry Cheesecake Ice Cream. Oh my goodness, I am in love. Thank you, thank you , thank you.

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  5. Mari, this looks delicious and right up our alley! Adding it to my recipes that MUST be tried! Thanks!

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  6. Minestrone weather is coming and this lighter version is so good!

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  7. Looks so fresh and delicious Mary between you and Monique I am sold on this one...it will be on our menu very soon.
    Beautiful pics as always....
    L xo

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  8. This was very good, and I'll let Monique know. I used mini penne pasta, and didn't have any spinach. Glad you shared the recipe! xo

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  9. Madonna, I just love the shape and texture of gemelli too. I don't know, there was something about the texture of the crisps that just didn't do it for us, very strange ~ maybe the recipe could be tweaked using a little more flour, they were kind of like stale frico.

    I'm so happy you like the raspberry cheesecake ice cream!

    AMI, thank you for stopping by and for such a nice comment. :)

    Colette, yes ~ our weather has been a little fickle

    Hi Linda, I always hesitate posting about Monique's recipes, she sets a pretty high bar with all of her talent and her gorgeous pictures.

    Debbie, I'm so glad you tried it too! I like that the recipe is so versatile; any kind of beans or other veggies can be substituted with no problem ~ I love that.

    Thank you for your comments everybody!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Such a beautiful soup, what gorgeous color and healthy too! I was all set for those pesto crisps too, they look beautiful... perfect to float instead :)

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for your comments, friends ~ they make my day!

A Sampling of my food . . .

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