PASTA FAGIOLI

(PASTA & BEAN SOUP)

SERVES 10 - 12

1 1/4 CUPS SMALL PASTA CUT INTO 2" SQUARES
(IF YOU USE PACKAGED DRY PASTA SELECT MACARONI STYLE)
2 1/4 CUPS DRY WHITE BEANS
OR
4 CUPS FRESH OR CANNED WHITE BEANS
3 CLOVES GARLIC
1 LARGE RED ONION
1 SPRIG OF ROSEMARY LEAVES
3 SAGE LEAVES
2 BAY LEAVES
4 TBS. EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL
4 TBS. FRESH PARSLEY
3 TBS. TOMATO PASTE
4 ½ CUPS WARM WATER
SALT AND PEPPER TO TASTE

IF USING DRY BEANS, SOAK THEM IN WATER AT ROOM TEMPERATURE FOR 24 HOURS. WATER SHOULD STAND ABOUT 3" OVER THE BEANS.

 COOK BEANS PER PACKAGE INSTRUCTIONS ADDING BAY LEAVES AND 1 CLOVE GARLIC.

WHILE BEANS ARE COOKING, FINELY MINCE RED ONION,  FRESH HERBS, AND 2 CLOVES GARLIC IN HEATED EXTRA VIRGIN  OLIVE OIL IN A LARGE POT UNTIL SLIGHTLY TENDER. THIS IS CALLED “SOFRITO”, OR SOFT FRIED.  SET ASIDE.

TAKE CARE NOT TO OVERCOOK YOUR BEANS. YOU WANT THEM TENDER, BUT NOT MUSHY.

IF COOKING FRESH OR CANNED WHITE BEANS ADD BAY LEAVES AS SHOWN ABOVE.

WHEN BEANS ARE TENDER, REMOVE ½ OF YOUR BEANS AND PUREE.  LEAVE REMAINING ½ OF BEANS WHOLE.

SAVE THE BEAN WATER.

ADD TOMATO PASTE, PUREED BEANS AND WHOLE COOKED BEANS TO THE “SOFRITO” MIXTURE.

ADD 2 CUPS OF WARM BEAN WATER TO MIXTURE AND SIMMER 15 MINUTES.

ADD MORE WATER IF NEEDED, DEPENDING ON YOUR PREFERENCE FOR BROTH TYPE SOUP OR THICKER SOUP.

ADD PASTA.

IF USING FRESHLY MADE PASTA, YOU MAY ADD WITHOUT PRE-COOKING.  SIMMER FOR 4 OR 5 MINUTES.

 IF USING DRY PASTA, COOK PARTIALLY (ABOUT ½ THE TIME OF COOKING INSTRUCTIONS ON PACKAGE) AND THEN ADD TO THE SOUP MIXTURE AND SIMMER ADDITIONAL 10 MINUTES.

TURN OFF HEAT , COVER AND LET STAND 5 TO 10 MINUTES BEFORE SERVING.

DRIZZLE WITH EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL.