Light and Easy Minestrone Soup
Mushrooms and beans really make this a meaty soup, which pleased my husband, and I loved the healthy ingredients.
Mushrooms and beans really make this a meaty soup, which pleased my husband, and I loved the healthy ingredients.
- Carbohydrate 14.1453250029941 g
- Cholesterol 0 mg
- Fat 8.23272500034374 g
- Fiber 5.08525006465043 g
- Protein 11.1140750004378 g
- Saturated Fat 1.26700000015019 g
- Serving Size 1 1 Serving (779g)
- Sodium 909.132500001233 mg
- Sugar 9.06007493834368 g
- Trans Fat 0.526020000050123 g
- Calories 163 calories
Step-by-step
- Heat oil in large saucepan over medium heat. Add mushrooms and garlic and sauce until lightly browned. About 5 minutes.
- Add kale and saute another 5 minutes until kale is softened. Add water if necessary to keep from burning.
- Add tomatoes, broth, and Italian seasoning. Simmer another 20 minutes until vegetables are tender.
- Add beans and simmer another minute to heat through.
Traditional minestrone leans heavily on pasta or rice for bulk, but this version trades grains for mushrooms and beans. Unlike pasta-laden pots that thicken into stews overnight, this broth remains light and clean.
Fresh Versus Preserved Elements
Balancing fresh produce with canned goods dictates the final texture of the pot. Slicing raw mushrooms thin ensures they release moisture quickly during the initial sauté. Browning them until golden creates the umami base necessary for depth. Preserved elements like canned tomatoes and navy beans bring acidity and reliable starch without requiring long simmering times. Add the beans at the very end. Exposing navy beans to prolonged boiling breaks down their skins and muddies the broth.
- If the kale tastes overly bitter, check that the pieces measure under one inch to ensure even softening.
- Should the soup reduce too rapidly during the twenty-minute simmer, lower the heat setting or add water in quarter-cup increments.
- Store leftovers in a sealed glass container for up to four days, keeping in mind that the beans will continue absorbing liquid as it sits.
