November 5, 2015

MY BEST MINESTRONE SOUP PAIRED WITH BEER BREAD


Your chilly November evening,
just got a little warmer!
This Minestrone Soup is exactly
what you need for the dinner table.



MINESTRONE SOUP
 2 T olive oil
1 yellow onion, finely chopped
1 clove garlic
5 cups vegetable stock
1 lb diced tomatoes
2 large carrots sliced about ¼” thick
4 large handfuls of spinach leaves 
1 (14.5 oz) can white cannellini beans, rinsed
1 (14.5 oz) can kidney beans, rinsed
1/2 T basil
1/2 T oregano
1/2 T sugar
1 bay leaf
1 c. macaroni or small pasta
2 T.balsamic vinegar
Salt and pepper to taste
Grated Parmesan

Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and sauté until translucent, 2-3 minutes. Add the chicken stock, tomatoes, carrot, basil, oregano, sugar and bay leaf.
Cover partially and simmer until the carrots are tender, at least 20 minutes. Add the pasta and cook, uncovered, unil al dente, 8-10 minutes more. 
Add the beans and simmer until they are warmed through. Add the balsamic vinegar. Season to taste with freshly ground salt and pepper.Add the spinach and stir it until it is wilted. Garnish with fresh parsley and Parmesan. Note.....only add enough spinach for each serving. When you have left over soup, add fresh spinach..otherwise, it becomes too soggy. This is fabulous paired with hot beer bread.



BEER BREAD RECIPE
3 cups SELF-RISING flour 
6 Tablespoons granulated sugar
1 bottle of beer--12 ounces (Budweiser)
3 T.  butter , plus 2T. melted butter


Preheat your oven to 375-degrees.

Mix together in a large bowl your flour and sugar. Add 3 T. of softened butter. Then add your bottle of beer and allow it to foam, then settle.
Mix until the dough forms. Don't over mix. Lumpy is good. Pour dough into a heavily buttered loaf pan. 
Put the bread in the oven and set your timer for 15 minutes.

Melt your 2 T.  of butter.

When the timer buzzes., open the oven and pour about 1 T. of melted  butter over the bread and then close the oven and continue baking. The bread should be developing some nice cracks, perfect for absorbing the butter. 

Set the timer for another 15 minutes and repeat with second T. of  melted butter.

Set the timer for a final 15 minutes and the bread should be a lovely golden brown. Done!


14 comments:

  1. That sounds delicious! I have never used self-rising flour to make bread before! That is a great idea! xo Diana

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    1. This bread is very, very good Diana! My husband requests this often....goes perfectly with soup! Enjoy dear one!

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  2. That is just perfect for a cool Fall evening meal. Well, I guess you could serve it for lunch but then again, maybe not. Sure does look yummy and you have my tummy wanting some. No fair!! See you around again soon. Hugs.

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    1. Hi Latane! Thank you love, for visiting me today! I hope you are having a lovely fall!

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  3. Oh how I miss Beer Bread!!!! We used to make it all the time.

    But ours was much simpler. ,-) 3, 2, 1... 3 cups self-rising flour 2 T. sugar 1 bottle of beer. No butter, and it was still delicious. I'm sure yours, with all that butter, is fantastic!!! :-)

    Tessa

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    1. You can leave out the butter if you like Tessa, but do pour melted butter on top! It is a fabulous and easy bread...goes beautifully with a bowl of hot soup! Thank you for paying me a visit today and I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

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  4. Done! and Done! thanks for providing my menu for tonight!!! Rain coming in.....will be perfecto!

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    1. Yes jmac...how perfect for a cool rainy November evening! Stay cozy!!!

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  5. Minestrone is such a nutritious meal...true confessions: I blend mine so I can enjoy it...texture issues, but John likes his just as it was meant to be. We both enjoy beer bread. I think my recipe is very basic.

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    1. What is it about a hot bowl of soup that is so comforting Vee! I love hearing how everyone is baking Beer Bread! Hugs for a beautiful weekend dear girl!

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  6. Yummy Estella this looks delicious I did pin it you know how I love your recipes. Have a wonderful weekend, Roxy

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    1. How great to share Roxy! Thanks for stopping by today!

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  7. I am definitely going to make both of these in the next day or two. My husband will be so happy. :)

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  8. Would you believe I have NEVER made Beer Bread??? But I will!!!

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