**Recipe still under revision** This is traditionally an Italian soup with bread as a main component. Since we do low carb, I modified the recipe and added ceci (chick peas) rather than bread. (You can make this vegetarian by using veg stock and skipping pancetta.) I added smoky paprika, which gives the dish a really nice flavor.
Cuisine Italian, Mediterranean
Keyword low carb ribollita, ribollita
Prep Time 20 minutesminutes
Cook Time 30 minutesminutes
Servings 10servings
Author misangela
Ingredients
2Tblolive oil
2Tbldiced pancetta or baconsaute until crispy
1Med white onion, dicedabout a cup
4clovesgarlic, minced
1red peppers, dicedabout 3/4 cup
2Tbltomato paste
2tspDRY basil
1tspDRY marjoram or oregano
1tspsmoked paprika
1tspred pepper flakes
2Cupspinachfrozen, whole bag
1can white beansdrained
1can cecichickpeas, drained
1large can whole Italian plum tomatoes in juicecrushed by hand into soup
2Cchicken stock
2Tblred wine vinegar
2TblL&P worcestershire sauce
2Tblcapers
15brine cured olives either green or black, chopped
1Tblketchup or sugarto offset acidity in tomatoes, to taste
S/P, equal partsto taste
2Tblfresh basilchiffonade
grated parmesan and olive oil to dress
Instructions
Put olive oil and pancetta in a large stock pot over med flame. Render the pancetta. Turn up the heat to med hi and add in garlic, peppers, onions and tomato paste. Saute for a couple of minutes then reduce heat to Medium.
Add dry basil and oregano, paprika and red pepper flakes and let veg sweat to get a little colour - about 3-4 mins.
Add spinach, beans and ceci. Add in the Italian tomatoes by hand, crushing each one as you go. Remove any skins that may be on them. Add chicken stock – use more or less to your liking. Keep at a slow simmer for about 8-10 mins.
Add red wine vinegar, L&P, capers and olives. If needed for balance, add ketchup or sugar.
Add salt and pepper to taste. Simmer over low heat for about 15 more mins.
Add in fresh basil in last 5 mins of simmer. Check your seasonings again.
Serve in a big bowl with a turn of olive oil and a bit of parmesan. If you are not doing low carb, serve with a big chunk of toasted crusty bread.