Ingredient list
2 1/2 cups cooked Borlotti or Great Northern beans
4 Tbsp olive oil
2 onions, celery stalks, carrots, finely chopped
2 potatoes, 2 cups butternut squash, in 2cm cubes
2 cups cauliflower, cut into small pieces
3 cups cabbage, thinly sliced,
1 zucchini, chopped into 2cm cubes
1/2 cup barley, washed well
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 bay leaf, 1 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
1 tsp thyme, 1 tsp oregano
2 tsp salt, pepper to taste
1-2 chicken stock cubes and boiling water as needed
Polish sausage, cut into 5cm pieces, plus a ham hock cut in half
250 grams pasta, spiral, penne or shell
Parmesan cheese, grated (optional)
Instructions
In a large pot, heat the oil on medium heat, fry onions and celery until soft; add other vegetables. Fry for about 10 to 15 minutes. Add ham hock, garlic, bay leaf, Parmesan cheese crust and water (liquid from the beans can be used), enough to cover the vegetables. Gently simmer for about 30 minutes.
Add beans, barley, herbs, stock cubes and salt, simmer for about 1 hour. Use a blender or potato masher to mash half the vegetables and beans — this adds a thick velvety texture to the Minestrone. Add the Polish sausage and continue cooking for an additional 30 minutes.
Cook the pasta separately and add to the Minestrone. Remove the ham hock, take off the skin and fat and discard. Cut the tender meat into pieces and add to the Minestrone. Remove from heat and allow to sit for about 10 minutes. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and serve.
NOTE: If you don’t have a ham hock, add two or three slices of rindless bacon, cut into pieces and fry with the onions — this also adds a nice flavour.
October 6, 2016 | Posted in:
Butternut Squash Macaroni & Cheese
Prep Time: 5 min.
Total Time: 30 min.
Ingredients
1 lb (500 g) elbow macaroni
¼ cup butter
¼ cup flour
1 tsp salt
4 cups whole milk
1 tbsp sriracha
2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 butternut squash, roasted and flesh mashed
3 cups sharp cheddar cheese
Directions
1. Cook macaroni according to package directions. Rinse under cold water to cool and set aside.
2. In a large pot melt butter over medium heat. Add flour and salt and whisk to combine. Let cook, 1 minute. Add milk, mashed butternut squash, sriracha and Worcestershire sauce. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to simmer. Let mixture simmer until thickened, about 4 min. Reduce heat to low and add cheese. Add in pasta and stir to combine.
3. Serve with a green salad or bake in the oven in a 9 x 13” casserole dish and top with more cheese and bread crumbs for a crispy topping.