Prosciutto Fave Minestrone alla Riso

This ham, bean and rice soup is my favorite and it is a hearty dinner soup. Sprinkle bowls of soup with Parmesan cheese and serve hot. Serve extra cheese at the table. Offer crusty, Italian bread with the soup. You may substitute macaroni for the rice.

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 45 mins
• Total Time: 60 mins
• Calories: 283 Calories

Ingredients

• ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed
• 5 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 quart chicken broth
• 1 (28 ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes, chopped
• ¾ cup diced cooked ham
• ¼ pound bacon, chopped
• 1 (15 ounce) can white beans, drained
• 3 large stalks celery, thinly sliced, leaves reserved and chopped
• 3 carrots, finely chopped
• ⅔ cup brown rice
• 1 (15 ounce) can cranberry beans, drained

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

In a large pot over medium heat, cook bacon in olive oil until brown. Stir in ham and cook a few minutes more. Stir in celery (reserve the leaves), onion and carrot and cook until vegetables are tender, 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook 1 minute more.

Step 2

Stir in tomatoes, broth, rice, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover and simmer 20 minutes, or until vegetables are soft and rice is nearly tender.

Step 3

Stir in cranberry beans and white beans and heat through. Stir in parsley and celery leaves and remove from heat. Serve hot.