Aunt Marcia's Ultimate Minestrone Delight
This hearty minestrone soup is a family favorite, lovingly adapted from the classic recipe in 'ENJOY – More Recipes from the Best of Bridge.' Aunt Marcia has perfected this dish over the years, turning it into a flavor-packed, nutritious meal that warms the soul. Bursting with colorful vegetables, tender ground beef, and a delightful blend of spices, it’s the ideal comfort food for chilly evenings. Best prepared a day in advance, this soup allows the flavors to meld beautifully, making each bowl a delicious experience. Enjoy it sprinkled with freshly grated Parmesan for an added touch of richness!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
16
Ingredients
Ingredients
Medium ground beef
1 lb (browned)
Diced onion
1 cup (1 large or 2 small)
Diced zucchini
1 cup (chopped, can substitute with 2 small)
Diced okra
1/2 cup (fresh or frozen)
Cubed potato
1 cup (2 medium and 1 small sweet potato, peeled and cubed)
Sliced carrot
1 cup (about 3 medium carrots)
Shredded cabbage
1 cup (green or Savoy varieties work well)
Diced tomatoes
1 (28 ounce) can (drained or undrained as preferred)
Rice or barley
1/4 cup (uncooked)
Noodles
1/2 cup (uncooked, any pasta of choice)
Water or beef broth
1 1/2 quarts (for more flavor, use beef broth)
Bay leaf
1 (whole)
Leaf thyme
1/2 teaspoon (dried)
Salt
3 teaspoons (to taste)
Pepper
to taste (freshly ground)
Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon (for added depth of flavor)
Instructions
1
In a large pot, brown the medium ground beef over medium heat, breaking it up as it cooks until fully browned.
2
Reduce heat to medium-low and add the diced onion, zucchini, okra, cubed potatoes, sliced carrots, and shredded cabbage. Stir well and cook for about 5 minutes until the vegetables start to soften.
3
Pour in the diced tomatoes and water or beef broth, followed by the bay leaf, leaf thyme, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine and bring to a boil.
4
Once boiling, sprinkle in the rice or barley and noodles. Cover the pot and reduce the heat to low, allowing the mixture to simmer for at least 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
5
Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed. Remove the bay leaf before serving.
6
For the best flavor, cool the soup, refrigerate it overnight, and skim off any excess fat before reheating.
7
Serve hot, garnished with a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Aunt Marcia's Ultimate Minestrone Delight?
It is a hearty and flavor-packed minestrone soup that features ground beef, colorful vegetables, and a blend of spices, adapted from the 'Best of Bridge' cookbooks.
What is the origin of this recipe?
This recipe is lovingly adapted from the classic version found in 'ENJOY – More Recipes from the Best of Bridge'.
How much ground beef is required?
The recipe calls for 1 lb of medium ground beef, which should be browned before adding other ingredients.
Can I use beef broth instead of water?
Yes, for more flavor, it is recommended to use beef broth instead of water as the liquid base.
What kind of vegetables are in this minestrone?
The soup includes onion, zucchini, okra, potatoes, carrots, and shredded cabbage.
What type of cabbage should I use?
Both green and Savoy varieties of cabbage work well for this recipe.
Does the recipe call for okra?
Yes, 1/2 cup of diced okra (either fresh or frozen) is included in the vegetable mix.
What kind of potatoes are used?
A combination of 2 medium potatoes and 1 small sweet potato, peeled and cubed, is recommended.
Should I use rice or barley?
You can use either 1/4 cup of uncooked rice or 1/4 cup of uncooked barley according to your preference.
What kind of noodles should I add?
The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of any uncooked pasta of your choice.
Should I drain the diced tomatoes?
You can use one 28-ounce can of diced tomatoes, drained or undrained as preferred.
How long does the soup need to simmer?
Once the rice and noodles are added, cover the pot and simmer on low heat for at least 1 hour.
Why is it recommended to prepare the soup a day in advance?
Preparing it a day early allows the flavors to meld beautifully and makes it easier to skim off excess fat after refrigeration.
What herbs and spices are used for seasoning?
The recipe uses a bay leaf, 1/2 teaspoon of leaf thyme, salt, and freshly ground pepper.
Is Worcestershire sauce included in the recipe?
Yes, 1 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce is added for extra depth of flavor.
How do I serve the soup?
Serve the soup hot, garnished with a sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
Should I remove the bay leaf?
Yes, make sure to remove the bay leaf before serving the soup.
What is the first step in the instructions?
The first step is to brown the ground beef in a large pot over medium heat, breaking it up as it cooks.
How long should I cook the vegetables before adding the liquid?
Cook the vegetables for about 5 minutes until they start to soften before pouring in the liquid and tomatoes.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 16 main ingredients listed for this minestrone recipe.
Can I use frozen okra instead of fresh?
Yes, the recipe explicitly states that you can use fresh or frozen diced okra.
What size of onion is needed?
The recipe requires 1 cup of diced onion, which is roughly 1 large or 2 small onions.
How much salt should I add?
The recipe suggests 3 teaspoons of salt, but you should adjust it to your personal taste.
Is this soup considered a comfort food?
Yes, it is described as the ideal comfort food for chilly evenings.
What should I do if the soup is too thick?
While not explicitly stated, you can add a bit more water or beef broth when reheating if the rice and noodles have absorbed too much liquid.
What tags define this recipe?
Tags include minestrone, soup, beef, vegetables, hearty, comfort food, family recipe, and italian.
How many carrots are used?
You will need about 3 medium carrots, sliced into 1 cup.
What is the best way to remove excess fat?
The best way is to cool and refrigerate the soup overnight; the fat will solidify at the top, making it easy to skim off.
Is this a nutritious meal?
Yes, it is described as a nutritious meal bursting with a variety of colorful vegetables and proteins.
What type of zucchini is needed?
The recipe asks for 1 cup of diced zucchini, which can be substituted with 2 small zucchinis.