MINESTRONE SOUP WITH CLAMS
Ingredients
Saffron Pasta Shells
- Pinch saffron threads
- 2 2 2ounces OUNCE_USVolumesmall dry pasta shells
- Extra-virgin olive oil
Pistou Sauce
- 1/3 .33 .33cup CUP_USVolumeextra-virgin olive oil
- 1/2 .5 .5clove garlic
- Pinch salt
- 1/4 .25 .25cup CUP_USVolumepacked fresh basil leaves
Minestrone
- 3 3 3tablespoons TABLESPOON_USVolumeextra-virgin olive oil
- 1 1 1tablespoon TABLESPOON_USVolumeminced garlic
- 1/2 .5 .5cup CUP_USVolumediced (1/2-inch) yellow squash or zucchini
- 1/2 .5 .5cup CUP_USVolumediced (1/2-inch) eggplant
- 1/2 .5 .5cup CUP_USVolumediced (1/2-inch) zucchini
- 1/2 .5 .5cup CUP_USVolumediced (1/2-inch) celery stalk
- 1/2 .5 .5cup CUP_USVolumediced (1/2-inch) yellow bell pepper
- 1/2 .5 .5cup CUP_USVolumediced (1/2-inch) red bell pepper
- 1/2 .5 .5cup CUP_USVolumediced (1/2-inch) fennel bulb
- 1/2 .5 .5cup CUP_USVolumediced (1/2-inch) carrot
- 1 1 1cup CUP_USVolumechopped onion
- 1 1 1cup CUP_USVolumetomato concasse (peeled, seeded, and diced fresh tomato)
- Salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Sugar
- 1 1 1tablespoon TABLESPOON_USVolumeall-purpose flour
- 1/4 .25 .25cup CUP_USVolumetomato paste
- 2 2 2quarts QUART_USVolumechicken stock
- 1 1 1cup CUP_USVolumediced (3/4-inch) baking potatoes, such as russets
- 1 1 1bouquet garni (see "Cooking Tips"), made of 1 bay leaf and 1 sprig each of basil and parsley
- 2 2 2pounds POUNDWeightLittleneck clams, cleaned and soaked in salted water for 15 minutes, drained
- 1/2 .5 .5cup CUP_USVolumecanned garbanzo beans, drained, rinsed, and peeled
- Extra-virgin olive oil, to drizzle
- 6 6 6diagonal slices baguette, brushed with olive oil, grilled or broiled, and sliced in half lengthwise
Instructions
- First, make the Saffron Pasta Shells: In a saucepan, bring salted water to a boil with the saffron. Add dry pasta shells and cook until al dente, tender but still chewy, following the manufacturer’s suggested cooking time. Drain and rinse in cold water. Transfer to a bowl and lightly dress and toss with olive oil. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until needed.
- Next, prepare the Pistou Sauce: In a blender, combine the olive oil, garlic, and salt. Process until the garlic is minced. With the motor running, add the basil leaves and continue to process until pureed. Transfer to a bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until needed.
- Make the Minestrone: In a stockpot, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the garlic, yellow squash, eggplant, zucchini, celery, bell peppers, fennel, carrots, onion, and tomato concasse and sauté until glossy. Season to taste with salt, pepper, and sugar. Stir in the flour and continue to cook until the mixture is golden in color. Stir in the tomato paste, stock, potatoes, and bouquet garni. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to maintain a simmer. Cook until the potatoes are al dente, 15 to 20 minutes.
- Add the clams to the pot, cover, and cook until the clams open, 4 to 5 minutes. Uncover and remove the bouquet garni and any clams that have failed to open. Stir in the garbanzo beans and the Saffron Pasta Shells and simmer until they are heated through, 2 to 3 minutes more. Ladle the soup into 4 soup plates or bowls, drizzle with Pistou Sauce and extra-virgin olive oil, garnish each serving with 3 slices of grilled baguette, and serve immediately.
ABOUT THIS RECIPE
The familiar Italian soup of fresh vegetables, pasta, and beans gets a seafaring slant with the addition of sweet, tender Littleneck clams. Easily prepared Saffron Pasta Shells complement the clams in shape and flavor, and add a brilliant yellow color. A spoonful or two of Pistou Sauce, France's close cousin to basil-garlic pesto, provides a final burst of flavor and aroma when stirred into each bowl at serving time.