Friday, February 08, 2008

Super-easy soup

Since I went ahead and confessed that I am a lousy cook, I thought now would be a good time to post a recipe. Right?

I am going to a Soup Swap on Monday. It's like a cookie exchange, but for soup. Here's what I'm going to bring (there is a contest for best soup name ... if you can think of a better one, I am all ears). I'm making 40 cups of it tonight (8 cups x 5 recipient swappers).

I Think I Can-nellini Bean Soup
Makes: A lot. At least 8 servings depending on who's eating. Probably about 35 servings if you are serving it to a small child.

3 cloves garlic, minced
1 Tbsp olive oil
2 16-oz cans cannellini (white) beans
1 28-oz can diced tomatoes
1 head escarole (or kale I think would also work), chopped
4-5 cups chicken broth (sub veggie broth to make this vegan)
S&P
Shaved parmesan cheese for garnish

1. Heat the olive oil in a big soup pot or dutch oven. Throw in the garlic and saute for a couple of minutes.

2. Dump in everything else.

3. Bring to a boil.

4. Simmer for 20-25 minutes (or whatever. Until you are ready to eat it).

5. Top with shaved parmesan and serve.

See? If you can open a can and boil water you can make this.

My only problem is that my husband doesn't really like soup (weirdo). So I am going to have 40 cups of incoming soup to eat all by myself. Guess what I'll be eating for lunch for the next 40 days!

(When I was a poor editorial assistant, I always brown-bagged except on Fridays. Then I'd treat myself to lunch out. If I was feeling really flush I'd go to the Soup Nazi. I think it cost about $7 a serving [this was way back before the Seinfeld show even aired] but it came with bread, fruit, and a piece of chocolate and damn, this soup was so. good. It was entirely worth the anxiety and abuse and the very very long line.)

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Ha! I was also a regular on line at the Soup Nazi! Do you remember though what happened as a result of the mention on Seinfeld?
The lines were twice as long, and the price of the soup went up as well - - ah well, the good old days when I lived in NYC! I'll try your recipe and try to recapture some zeitgeist.

Magpie said...

You know, I've never been to the soup Nazi.

Your soup looks great, and easy.

Kelly said...

My grandmother would be so proud of this soup...using escarole AND cannellini beans! Italian staples! Sounds yum.

motherbumper said...

Good golly I think I could make this soup! Thank you for sharing.

As for the Soup Nazi, I never had the pleasure but we have a knock off up here that isn't bad - the Soup Nutsy. I kid you not.

Leighann of Multi-Minding Mom said...

This recipe looks so easy and it looks like it would have a lot of protein and fiber. I'm going to try it!

And a soup swap is a great idea.

(Thanks for including the vegetarian alternative!)

Alex Elliot said...

I always like recipes from people who also hate to cook but they tend to be easy and taste good! Fruit and chocolate with the soup? That sounds like the perfect lunch.

S said...

Your husband doesn't like soup?

Who doesn't like soup?

(I used to get soup at the Soup Nazi's, too. Fun times, fun times.)

Angela said...

I actually made a roast chicken for dinner tonight...so I have the bones for a soup...can I admit something, I've never made soup from scratch. I actually saved the bones to try my first batch...wish me luck!

Lady M said...

I've never been a big soup fan, so the Soup Nazi must be impressive indeed. Q on the other hand, love his soup. He'll specifically ask that we add it to dinner.

Bon said...

i had no idea until right now that the Soup Nazi was real.

i am such a provincial schmuck.

Anonymous said...

I'm a huge believer in soup. The comfort, the ease and the healing powers thereof. I have a killer Tortilla Soup recipe if you want it.