Okay, so today I tried making minestrina for the first time. I’ve always loved minestrone, but minestrina? Totally new territory. I figured, “Hey, it’s soup, how hard can it be?” Famous last words, right?
Getting Started
First, I grabbed a recipe online. It seemed pretty straightforward. Mostly veggies, some broth, and tiny pasta. I checked my fridge and realized I was missing a few things. No problem, a quick trip to the grocery store and I was all set.
The Chopping Begins
Back home, I started by chopping up all the vegetables. I used carrots, celery, onion, and some zucchini. I also threw in some spinach because, why not? More greens are always good, I think. Honestly, chopping is probably the most time-consuming part. My knife skills aren’t exactly chef-level, so it took a while.
Cooking Time
Once everything was chopped, I heated up some olive oil in a big pot. I tossed in the onions and celery first, letting them soften up a bit. Then I added the carrots and zucchini. After that, I poured in some vegetable broth – I used the low-sodium kind because I’m trying to watch my salt intake.
Pasta and Seasoning
Next up, the pasta! The recipe called for ditalini, which are these super tiny tube-shaped pasta. I added those to the pot and let everything simmer. I also seasoned it with some salt, pepper, and a little bit of dried oregano. I figured a bay leaf wouldn’t hurt, so I tossed one of those in too.
- Chop veggies
- Sauté onions and celery
- Add carrots and zucchini
- Pour in broth
- Add ditalini pasta
- Season with salt, pepper, oregano, and a bay leaf.
The Waiting Game
Then came the hard part: waiting. I let the soup simmer for about 20 minutes, until the pasta was cooked and the veggies were tender. I stirred it occasionally, just to make sure nothing stuck to the bottom.
Final Touches
Finally, I removed the bay leaf (very important, don’t want to eat that!) and stirred in the spinach. I let it wilt for just a minute or two. And that was it! Minestrina, done!
The Verdict
I ladled myself a bowl and took a tentative sip. Honestly, it was pretty good! Not restaurant-quality or anything, but definitely a solid homemade soup. It’s light, flavorful, and perfect for a chilly evening. Would I make it again? Absolutely. It’s a simple, healthy, and satisfying meal. Maybe next time I’ll try adding some beans!
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