![Spring Vegetable Minestra with Mint & Basil Pistou](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.eatingwell.com/thmb/97H8B6zPxnZlynOPGttXPDLR9pg=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/spring-veg-minestra-2000-44d48bfc7c5340659940b445e7f99b8f.jpg)
Ingredients
Soup
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2 quarts cold water
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2 stalks fennel plus 1/2 cup diced fennel bulb, divided
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2 bay leaves
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1 small bunch fresh thyme
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½ teaspoon black peppercorns
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2 3-inch pieces orange zest
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8 ounces Parmesan cheese rinds
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1 cup diced tomato
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½ cup diced carrot
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½ cup diced green beans
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½ cup diced leek
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1 (15 ounce) can no-salt-added white beans, rinsed
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¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper
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6 cups chopped escarole
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4 cups spinach, stemmed
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½ teaspoon kosher salt
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½ teaspoon ground pepper
Pistou
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3 cups lightly packed basil leaves
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1 cup lightly packed mint leaves
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¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese
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2 teaspoons chopped garlic
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¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper
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¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
Directions
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To prepare soup: Bring water to a boil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Wrap fennel stalks, bay leaves, thyme, peppercorns and orange zest in cheesecloth and tie with kitchen string. Add to the pot along with Parmesan rinds. Adjust heat to maintain a simmer, partially cover and cook for 30 minutes.
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Stir in diced fennel, tomato, carrot, green beans, leek, white beans and crushed red pepper. Partially cover and simmer until the vegetables are very tender, about 30 minutes.
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Meanwhile, prepare pistou: Combine basil, mint, grated Parmesan, garlic and crushed red pepper in a food processor. Process until the herbs are finely chopped. Scrape down the sides. With the motor running, stream in oil and process until mostly smooth.
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Remove the Parmesan rinds and sachet from the soup. Stir in escarole and spinach; cook until wilted, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Serve topped with the pistou.
Equipment
Cheesecloth, kitchen string
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
240 | Calories |
14g | Fat |
19g | Carbs |
9g | Protein |
Nutrition Facts | |
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Servings Per Recipe 6 | |
Serving Size 1 1/2 cups soup & 2 Tbsp. pistou | |
Calories 240 | |
% Daily Value * | |
Total Carbohydrate 19g | 7% |
Dietary Fiber 7g | 25% |
Total Sugars 2g | |
Protein 9g | 18% |
Total Fat 14g | 18% |
Saturated Fat 3g | 15% |
Cholesterol 11mg | 4% |
Vitamin A 6694IU | 134% |
Sodium 469mg | 20% |
Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.
* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)
(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.