Orecchiette, Sausage and White Bean Soup
By: girlichef
Published: Wednesday, December 2, 2009 - 3:27pm

Ingredients




1 Tbs. Olive Oil
1/4 pound fresh, Italian Sausage, cut into slices on the bias
2 mediums red onions, chopped
4 eachs garlic cloves, minced
1 (14.5 oz) can Fire-Roasted, diced tomatoes w/ their juices
1 (15.5 oz) can white beans
sprigs each Rosemary, Thyme & Parsley
2 quarts Chicken Stock or broth
cup ~2  dry Orecchiette Pasta
Black Pepper
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Balsamic Vinegar

Preparation

1 Heat olive oil in a large pot and add your sliced sausage (hint...fresh sausage is easier to slice if it is slightly frozen...stick it in the freezer for an hour or 2 before you're ready to slice). 2 Brown the sausage well on both sides. 3 Add chopped red onion and cook, stirring occasionally for a couple of minutes. 4 Stir in garlic and cook for another minute or so. 5 Pour in the can of tomatoes. 6 Let the mixture cook down for a few minutes, until slightly thickened. Add beans (I use the liquid, too), herbs and stock. Stir well and bring to a simmer. 7 Once soup has simmered for 10 minutes or so, add in the pasta. Cook ~10 minutes more or until pasta is just al dente. Remember, pasta drinks up your liquid, so you may want to have a bit extra stock, or even just water, on hand. 8 Season with black pepper. You probably will not need salt because of your sausage and stock/broth. But taste it just to make sure and add some if you think it needs it. 9 Ladle into serving bowls and crack a little more fresh black pepper on top. Sprinkle with some chopped parsley. Drizzle a bit of balsamic vinegar on and grate some Parmesan over the top.

About


I am a total soup cheerleader. It's true. I like soup all year round. Although, there is just something about a bowl of steamy, hot soup on a chilly day. You know, that something that warms you to the bone; warms you from the inside, out. Cup your hands around the bowl to warm them up...breathe in that healing scent...feel the warmth on your tongue knowing it will soon be whooshing down into your waiting belly. Ah. Medicine. Good medicine.
*recipe*
Dip in spoon, lift to mouth, commence warming.

Comments:
Chaya

This is the perfect winter soup.  It has the right combination for texture and taste.