• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • about Dom in the Kitchen
  • contact me
  • pr & demo’s
  • Private Dining

Dom in the Kitchen Homepage

Recipes from my Lincolnshire kitchen

  • Home
  • Chicken Thighs
  • Bread
  • Cakes
  • Eggs
  • Vegetarian
  • Everything else

belleau minestrone

29 January 2013 by Dominic Franks

day sixteen: 13.9 stone (181lbs) – like a rusty old cog, it’s taken an age to start moving…

… I bought a white cabbage in mid-december with every intention to make bucket-loads of coleslaw for christmas but once we’d bought our tickets to go and visit dad in california I kind of forgot about planning anything after christmas-day lunch so the cabbage went into the bottom of the fridge and sat their forlornly whilst we went away… and then a further week when we were back, sadly mewling at me every time I opened the fridge door…
… and there’s just one thing that springs to mind when I see those slabs of giant white cabbages and that’s minestrone… and it’s been an age since i’ve made a large pan-load of the stuff.  This soup is ideal for those with little time on their hands but still want something incredible to eat when they get home.  I tend to make as large a pot of this as I can on an evening, after i’ve eaten so that I’m not tempted to grab a bowl and then it lasts for a few meals over the next few days… it’s entirely vegetarian so it’s a meal for both of us and it’s packed with bucket-loads of veg and fresh herbs so it improves in flavour as the hours tick by… and at the end of a hard day there is nothing better than knowing I have a bowl of the good stuff waiting for me on the stove…

belleau minestrone
like most soups here at belleau, this one is made up of anything that’s left in the fridge and the pasta cupboard and there’s something wonderfully satisfying about making space in that pasta cupboard isn’t there?  It means you can fill it with other crap that falls out and throws itself all over the floor when you open the door… the secret to this bowl of fabulousness is the large teaspoon of dried oregano… it adds a punch that you don’t get from fresh and once you’ve grated some cheese on top it tastes a lot like pizza soup… if that’s a good thing…

1/2 large white cabbage – cut and sliced into bits
1 large onion – finely chopped
1 large teaspoon dried oregano
1 large carrot – diced
2 large sticks of celery – diced
1 leek – sliced and diced
1 tin of chopped tomatoes
a handful of frozen peas
a handful of macaroni
2 pints good quality vegetable stock
fresh rosemary and thyme
2 bay leaves

in your largest soup pan saute the onions in a little butter and olive oil and throw the oregano and chopped fresh herbs in at this stage and let those flavours mingle

add the carrots, celery and leeks, stir around, place the lid on and let the veg sweat for 5 or 6 minutes until soft

add the tinned toms, the cabbage, the bay leaves and the stock and let it bubble gently for 20 minutes, then turn off the heat, add the pasta and the peas and let it sit for at least an hour before re-heating and eating, if not over night.

clearly i’m entering this bowl, packed full of herbs, into our Karen’s lovely Herbs on a Saturday…hosted this month by Vanesther at Bangers and Mash…  it’s a bit of an institution over at Lavender and Lovage and encourages us all to use more herbs when we cook…

eat and of course, enjoy!

Share this post:

Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Share on LinkedIn Share on E-mail

Filed Under: Everything else Tagged With: cabbage, herbs on a saturday, minestrone, pasta, soup

Previous Post: « grilled cheese croque monsieur – a random recipe
Next Post: random recipes #24 – round-up »

Reader Interactions

Related Posts with Thumbnails

Comments

  1. london bakes says

    29 January 2013 at 9:35 am

    Minestrone was one of the very first things that I learnt to cook and I don't think I've made it since then. This post has reminded me that I should definitely make it again and soon!

  2. StephenC says

    29 January 2013 at 10:47 am

    Yep, that stuff hiding in various corners of the fridge is always soup material – as long as it hasn't started its own little blue-green garden. Peter made a huge batch of lentil on Sunday. Very tasty.

  3. Pat Machin says

    29 January 2013 at 10:48 am

    I second your view that such soups (and stews) improved by sitting overnight. We eat a lot of soup and haven't had a minestrone for a while. *makes a note*

  4. Magnolia Verandah says

    29 January 2013 at 10:49 am

    Your right minestrone is the type of dish that will accommodate anything in the fridge and cupboard. This sounds great – ready and waiting for you when you are tempted by something less good for you.

  5. little macaroon. says

    29 January 2013 at 12:50 pm

    Having just been hit on the head by a packet of pinenuts, a clothes peg and an elderly Soreen mini-loaf (!) falling out of my food cupboard, I completely agree with the virtues of making space in there.

  6. Michael Toa says

    29 January 2013 at 1:30 pm

    Pizza soup is definitely a good thing for me. Gorgeous minestrone Dom. It looks mighty tasty.

  7. Janice Pattie says

    29 January 2013 at 1:36 pm

    Looks very similar to my Cannelini Bean soup I posted last night, no cabbage in mine though. Love a big pot of soup and this looks perfect.

  8. Kay Stephenson says

    29 January 2013 at 3:20 pm

    This sounds wonderful! I wonder if the cabbage I froze last fall would do. And I might add a can of beans (pintos?) too. Must try this before it is too warm in Atlanta, GA, USA to enjoy it. Despite the daffodils blooming in my yard, we still have a few more weeks of winter.

  9. Pistachio and Rose says

    29 January 2013 at 3:23 pm

    So so lovely, the exact kind of thing you want to eat on a day like this. It also makes you feel virtuous and good!

  10. Marmaduke Scarlet says

    29 January 2013 at 3:25 pm

    Absolutely love it – I lived off this when I was a veggie – and I was much thinner in those days! Coincidence? I don't think so! BTW, leftovers are fab on a baked potato. (Butter optional!)

  11. Susan heavenonaplate says

    29 January 2013 at 4:21 pm

    I'm so in awe of this weight loss Dom, you are making me get a grip…good for you! (nice pot of tastiness too by the way). x

  12. Sue/the view from great island says

    29 January 2013 at 6:21 pm

    If you ask me, this kind of soup is the best diet trick ever…so satisfying and filling, but nobody every got fat on soup! Love how rich it looks 🙂

  13. Eileen says

    29 January 2013 at 7:47 pm

    Soups packed with all the odds and ends in the fridge are one of my favorites. I haven't made minestrone in far too long–thanks for the reminder! 🙂

  14. bellini says

    29 January 2013 at 8:57 pm

    It looks amazing Dom. JUst the kind of comfort food we are craving these days.

  15. bangermashchat says

    29 January 2013 at 10:06 pm

    I made minestrone tonight to use up a Savoy cabbage and various other odds and sods lurking in the fridge. Not sure mine looked quite as pretty as yours though. A great entry for Herbs on Saturday – thanks for sharing!

  16. Susie @ Fold in the Flour says

    29 January 2013 at 11:05 pm

    Pizza soup sounds like a good 'un to me! Love the look of this – it must be so satisfying and soup is definitely something fine to come home to. 🙂 x

  17. Ocean Breezes and Country Sneezes says

    30 January 2013 at 1:00 am

    Way to go! Soon we'll be calling you the thin man!

  18. Jeane M. says

    30 January 2013 at 2:33 am

    This comment has been removed by the author.

  19. Susan Lindquist says

    30 January 2013 at 2:54 am

    Oh Gawd! Is there anything better than a good old pot of clean out the fridge minestrone ??? I'm with Kay (who happens to be a chum from way back when!)… put some beans int hat soup too!
    Thanks for another soup for my list of 'must makes', my dear!

  20. Karen S Booth says

    30 January 2013 at 11:02 am

    THANKS so much for this herbal delight Dom, it looks hearty and yet healthy! I ADORE Minestrone soup and when I am not on a diet, I mop it all up with acres of crusty bread! Karen

  21. From Beyond My Kitchen Window says

    30 January 2013 at 11:07 am

    I agree about eating soup when you get home from work. The thing I like about it is that you are getting a really good meal and you can eat it at a reasonable hour. The soup looks filling and of course with all the vegetables, very healthy, low calorie and delicious.

  22. Shu Han says

    1 February 2013 at 7:41 pm

    I've been eating soup a lot lately esp when i get home from school, make a huge pot at a go usually and have it for a coupel days after. they def improve with time, plus I just like knowing I have sth reasonably healthy on standby 🙂

  23. Shu Han says

    1 February 2013 at 7:42 pm

    p.s. your minestrone looks shit gorgeous!

  24. Camilla @FabFood4All says

    2 February 2013 at 11:53 am

    Lovely soup, looks gorgeous! Thank you for this recipe, like you had I have a white cabbage which needs finishing so I know what I'll be making for lunch today:-)

Primary Sidebar

About Dom In The Kitchen

My name is Dominic, I am a cook, food writer and creative event producer. I write the food blog Dom In The Kitchen and also write a monthly recipe column for Lincolnshire Life Magazine and Good Taste Magazine. I also run creative event production company The Persuaders, producing global events for brands since 1997. I am based both in the small village of Belleau in Lincolnshire and the smaller village of London! Read More…

  • Bloglovin
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Subscribe

Archives

Tweets by @DomInTheKitchen

as featured in Lincolnshire Life Magazine

Lincolnshire Life

creatively managed by

The Persuagers
Belleau Cottage

Footer

dominthekitchen

GIVEAWAY!!! - Win a @charbroil_uk BBQ and 2 cases GIVEAWAY!!! - Win a @charbroil_uk BBQ and 2 cases of wine for BBQ food-pairing from @beefsteakclubwines 

I’ve teamed up with barbecue expert, Char-Broil, and Beefsteak Club wines to provide one lucky winner with a BBQ party package of the Char-Broil Performance Pro 2-Burner compact gas barbecue (RRP: £449.99) plus two cases of Beefsteak Club wines!!

To be in with a chance of winning this mega BBQ prize, simply:

1) Follow @dominthekitchen @charbroil_uk and @beefsteakclubwines 

2) Like this post

3) Share this post

4) tag friends in the comments. One tag = one entry, so get tagging - the more the merrier!

Ts&Cs: Winner will be chosen at random and announced via my IG Stories once the competition has closed on Sunday 12th June at 11pm GMT.  Prize to be posted to a UK address only. This competition is in no way sponsored, endorsed, or administered by Instagram. No purchase necessary. Multiple entries allowed per person. Open to UK entrants aged 18 or over. 

#PRSample #competition #prize #giveaway #entertowin #bbq #wine #foodpairing #gift #food #foodie #foodiesofinstagram
#ad Jubilee Cakewiches with @guylian.uk Still sl #ad Jubilee Cakewiches with @guylian.uk 

Still slightly obsessed with these cakewiches which are basically cakes made into sandwiches and all topped off with the ultimate finishing touch - a beautiful Guylian SeaShell. 

#cakes #cake #cakesofinstagram #picnic #jubilee #celebration #party #partyfood #food #foodies #platinumjubilee
Tomato, Feta and Strawberry Salad with my Slightly Tomato, Feta and Strawberry Salad with my Slightly Pickled Pink Onions

I wanted to share the pics of this salad the moment I made it cos it’s just so vibrant and summery. 

The real star of the show are the amazing slightly pickled pink onions… but… (and I hate to be a tease) you’ll have to wait till next week for the recipe!

#salad #salads #tomatoes #feta #healthy #healthyfood #healthyeating #food #foodblogger #foodie #foodiesofinstagram #britainsbesthomecooks_
I love my garden for many reasons… #worldnakedg I love my garden for many reasons…

#worldnakedgardeningday2022 #garden #gardeninspiration #gardening #nakedgardeningday2022 #summer #muscles #gym
Apricot & Strawberry Frangipani Pudding (recipe be Apricot & Strawberry Frangipani Pudding (recipe below)

This pudding is like a bowlful of summer. It’s light and fruity and sweet and so easy to put together.  I think it’s also quite unexpected to serve a pudding when fresh fruit is in abundance and a simple fruit salad would suffice but that’s what I adore about this.  Plus, this pudding makes very good use of those punnet’s of strawberries that look great in the supermarket but in fact taste all spongy and gloopy when you get them home.

Here’s the #recipe:

🍓 200g butter
🍓 200g golden caster sugar
🍓 3 large free-range eggs
🍓 200g ground almonds
🍓 100g strawberries – quartered
🍓 4 apricots – sliced into wedges
🍓 the finely grated zest and juice of half a lemon
🍓 2 tablespoons @fage_uk Greek Yoghurt
🍓 1 teaspoon @little_pod Vanilla Bean Paste

I greased a 20cm fluted ceramic pie dish and pre-heated the oven to 160C

beat the sugar and butter together in a large bowl until light and creamy… a stand mixer will do this in 4 minutes, a hand held electric whisk will do it in 6 minutes and a wooden spoon will do it in 8 minutes.

add the eggs and 1 tablespoon of ground almonds and beat in, then add the rest of the ground almonds and gently beat in, followed by the Greek Yoghurt, lemon zest and juice, vanilla and half the strawberries and beat in – the strawberries will become mush – which is exactly what you want.

lay half the remaining fruit into the bottom of your dish and cover with the frangipane batter, then scatter the remaining fruit on top

bake for 45 mins or until darkly golden brown, then remove from the oven and let it cool to set

#pudding #summerfood #summer #strawberry #strawberries #apricot #frangipani #cake #cakesofinstagram #cakes #food #foodie #britainsbesthomecooks_
Potato Kugel Traybake with Poached Eggs and Mushro Potato Kugel Traybake with Poached Eggs and Mushrooms

Is there anything more ‘Sunday Brunch’ than a crispy rosti with a delicately fragile poached egg on top? This Traybake rosti is a twist on a Jewish potato cake made with potatoes, carrots and onion. It’s amazing and really does make the perfect brunch. 

What are you having for brunch today?

for the kugel:
🍳 5 medium potatoes
🍳 2 large onions
🍳 2 large carrots – roughly grated
🍳 2 eggs – beaten
🍳 2 tablespoons flour
🍳 salt and pepper
🍳 a large handful of fresh rosemary
🍳 2 tablespoons of olive oil

for the poached eggs:
🥚 2 eggs per person
🥚 water
🥚 salt
🥚 a ramekin or similar

pre-heat the oven to 180C and butter your baking tin… i’m using an oblong swiss roll tin but any metal pan will do, a quiche or tarte tin is good.  Earthenware will work too but there’s something about the metal tin that makes it more ‘roasty’

Cut the potatoes and carrots into large chunks and par-boil till just beginning to yeald, drain and place in the fridge for one hour.  I usually do mine the night before.

Once the potatoes and carrots are cold, grate them and add them with the rest if the ingredients to a large bowl and mix together well.

Tip into your cake tin or roasting tray and roast in the oven on 190C till golden and grisp around the edges, roughly 40 mins

To make the poached eggs I prefer to use my large shallow cast-iron casserole dish.  There’s something about the cast-iron that holds the heat and cooks them evenly.  Fill the pan with water and heat it till it’s rapidly boiling, then turn down the heat until it is just steaming. 

Once it’s steadily hot with no bubbles lower the eggs into the hot water and leave them alone at this exact heat.  They should take about 5 minutes to become perfect with soft yolks but feel free to go until you like them.

#rosti #breakfast #brunch #sunday #eggs #poachedeggs #food #foodie #foodiesofinstagram #breakfastideas #britainsbesthomecooks_
Load More… Follow on Instagram

&copy 2010 - 2021 | All rights reserved | Website by Peckish Digital