Meal in a bowl minestrone

Don’t be afraid of the list of ingredients—remember you’re making a whole, hearty meal!   This is delicious and will be worth it!  

Ingredients

  • 4 tbsp oil for frying

  • 6 quality sausages

  • 250g bacon, chopped

  • 1 large onion, chopped

  • 1 large leek, halved long ways and chopped

  • 3 celery stalks, including leaves, chopped

  • 2 carrots, quarter circles

  • 8 garlic cloves, crushed

  • 2 tsp fennel seeds, roughly chopped

  • 6 cups chicken stock

  • 2 x 400g canned tomatoes or 500g fresh (diced)

  • 1/2 C tomato paste

  • 2 rosemary stalks, leaves chopped or 1 tsp dried

  • 2 tbsp fresh oregano or 2 tsp dried

  • Pinch of chilli flakes or powder

  • 2 tsp coconut sugar

  • 1 tsp salt & black pepper,

  • 1 C pearl barley

  • 1/2 medium cauliflower head, chopped, 1/2 broccoli head chopped or 2 C spinach roughly chopped, 1/2 C fresh chopped parsley (fresh is best here),

  • 1/2 C grated parmesan


Directions

In a large soup pot fry 2 tbsp oil, sausages and bacon over a medium heat. Once bacon is nearly crispy remove the meat from the pan and set aside. The sausages will finish cooking when added back later. Fry 2 tbsp oil, onion, leek, celery, carrots and garlic on medium head for 10-15mins stirring occasionally. Slice sausages into quarter circles and add to the pot along with bacon, stock, pearl barley, tomatoes, tomato paste, rosemary, oregano, chilli, sugar, salt, pepper. Cover and simmer for 30mins. Add the remaining vegetables and simmer uncovered for approximately 10mins.Stir through parsley and parmesan. Add salt and pepper to taste. This soup will keep in the fridge for 5 days and freezes well.

Yum! Sarah X

DinnerSarah Martelli