Pasta e Fagioli (Pasta and Beans)

I was just scrapbooking some photo's from our trip to Italy last fall and was inspired to add something Italian...

Growing up in an Italian family, this was a staple! Served with some crusty Italian bread it is a full meal. I had a FABULOUS version of this soup while we were in Rome and it seems to be similar to Giada De Laurentis' recipe below.

-4 sprigs of fresh thyme
-1 large rosemary sprig
-1 bay leaf
-1 T olive oil
-1 T unsalted butter
-1 cup chopped onion
-3 ounces of pancetta or bacon, chopped (I use bacon)
-2 garlic cloves, minced
-5 3/4 cups reduced sodium chicken broth
-2 (14 1/2 ounce) cans red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
-3/4 cup elbow macaroni
-ground pepper
-1/3 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
-1 T extra virgin olive oil

Wrap thyme, rosemary, and by leaf in piece of cheesecloth and tie with kitchen twine. Heat the olive oil and butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion, bacon, and garlic and saute until the onion it tender, about 3 minutes. Add the broth, beans, and aschet of herbs. Cover and bring to a boil over high heat, then decrease the heat to medium and simmer until vegetables are very tender, about 10 minutes. Discard the sachet.

In a blender, puree 1 cup of the bean mixture until smooth, then return the puree to the saucepan. Cover and return the soup to a boil over high heat. Add the macaroni, cover, and boil, stirring occassionally, until the macaroni is tender but still firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Season the soup with pepper.

Ladle the soup into bowls, sprinkle with parmesan cheese and drizzle with EV olive oil.
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Although the extra time and fresh herbs really do make the difference in the recipe above, I also make a more basic version. You really can't beat this easy and healthy recipe...it takes minutes!

-1/2 cup ditalini pasta, cooked and drained
-2 cans of beans (any kind), drained and rinsed
-1 can diced tomatoes
-1/2-1 can water
-garlic powder to taste
-salt and pepper to taste
-oregano/italian seasoning to taste
-Parmesan cheese

In large pot, combine all the ingredients and simmer for approximately 30 minutes. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and seve with warm bread.