Name: Ribollita
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 85 min
Total time: 105 min
Yield: 10
Ingredients: 100 ml olive oil; 1 large onion, finely diced; 2 celery stalks, finely diced; 1 carrot, finely diced; 140 gm flat pancetta, finely diced; 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped; 1.75 litres (7 cups) chicken stock; 800 gm canned tomatoes, crushed; 200 gm dried cannellini beans, soaked in cold water overnight, drained; 1 desiree potato (350gm), diced; 2 fresh bay leaves; 3 bunches cavolo nero, coarsely chopped; 1 day-old Italian country-style white loaf (625gm), torn into bite-sized pieces; To serve: extra-virgin olive oil and finely grated parmesan

Ribollita

Our take on the Tuscan soup.

Serves 10

Prep

20M

Cook

1H 25M

Total

1H 45M

Meaning “re-boiled”, this soup is a Tuscan classic made using leftover vegetables re-cooked with stale bread. This is a fresher version; while the quantities are large, it’s worth it as it is even better re-boiled the next day. You’ll need to begin this recipe a day ahead.

Ingredients

100 ml olive oil

1 large onion, finely diced

2 celery stalks, finely diced

1 carrot, finely diced

140 gm flat pancetta, finely diced

2 garlic cloves, finely chopped

1.75 litres (7 cups) chicken stock

800 gm canned tomatoes, crushed

200 gm dried cannellini beans, soaked in cold water overnight, drained

1 desiree potato (350gm), diced

2 fresh bay leaves

3 bunches cavolo nero, coarsely chopped

1 day-old Italian country-style white loaf (625gm), torn into bite-sized pieces

To serve: extra-virgin olive oil and finely grated parmesan

Method

Main

1.Heat olive oil in a flameproof casserole or large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, celery, carrot, pancetta and garlic and stir occasionally until tender (10-15 minutes). Add stock, tomato, beans, potato and bay leaves, bring to the simmer over medium-high heat and stir occasionally until beans are just tender (30 minutes). Add cavolo nero, season to taste and stir occasionally over medium heat until beans are very tender and cavolo nero is very soft (30-40 minutes, see note).

2.Divide torn bread among bowls. Ladle soup over and serve hot drizzled with olive oil and scattered with parmesan to taste.

Note This is a very thick soup. Add more stock or water if you prefer a thinner consistency.
Drink Suggestion: Chianti Classico. Drink suggestion by Max Allen
Notes