PROSCIUTTO FAVE MINESTRONE ALLA RISO

Prosciutto Fave Minestrone alla Riso image

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.

Provided by Harriet Cariello

Categories Soups, Stews and Chili Recipes Soup Recipes Vegetable Soup Recipes Minestrone

Time 1h

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 14

Ingredients

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

Steps:

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

Nutrition Facts : Calories 283.2 calories, Carbohydrate 29.4 g, Cholesterol 13.4 mg, Fat 14.4 g, Fiber 7 g, Protein 10.4 g, SaturatedFat 3.4 g, Sodium 504.5 mg, Sugar 3.5 g