Minestrone

Minestrone is a traditional Roman soup that consisted mostly of vegetables, such as onions, lentils, cabbage, garlic, broad beans, mushrooms, carrots, asparagus, and turnips. This version is a bit simpler, but basically follows the same method and combination of ingredients.

The goal is to make 2 large pans of soup at the same time = roughly 1.5 bowl per person.  

Cutting and cleaning vegetables & herbs can of course be done in advance, but just-in-time is great as well. Just be sure the vegetables aren't added too late. Cross off tasks that are done!

All ingredients need to be divided in equal parts over 2 pots.

Ingredients
----------
onions, chopped
scallions, chopped
garlic, roughly chopped
fresh tomatoes, washed, diced
parsley, washed and roughly chopped
bouillon cubes, crumbled
celery, washed and sliced
leek, washed and sliced
carrots, peeled and sliced
cauliflowers, washed and divided into small florets
green beans, washed and halved
courgettes/zucchinis, washed and diced
white beans, rinsed
canned tomatoes
penne
bayleaves
mixed herbs
salt
pepper
parmiggiano or feta
bread
50 dishes, cleaned
50 spoons, cleaned
2 ladles
10 tables, set

Method
----------

11:00 [step 1]
Saute chopped garlic, diced onion and scallion in olive oil until lightly colored
As soon as done: add diced fresh tomatoes

11:30 [step 2]
Fry tomatoes, onions, garlic until they start to dissolve
 Add tinned tomatoes per pot
Add half of the chopped parsley

12:00 [step 3]
Add: chopped celery, half of sliced leek, sliced carrots, cauliflower
        Fill pots up with boiling water
        Add 4 cubes of crumbled bouillon per pot
        Add 2 tablespoons of mixed herbs per pot
        Add 3 bayleaves per pot

12:30 [step 4]
Check that the soup is boiling softly
        Stir gently
        Add green beans
        Add diced courgette

13:00 [step 5]
Check that the soup is boiling softly
        Stir gently

        Add three hands of pasta per pan
        Add rinsed white beans
        Add second half of sliced leek
        Check seasoning, and if all ingredients have warmed through

        Set: table

        Check that the pasta is cooked
        if so :
        Remove bayleaves
        Add second half of chopped parsley
        Add salt, pepper if needed

13:30 Lunch ready!