Wednesday is Pasta Day! - Pasta e Fagioli

Today is my pasta day, and so is Friday, Monday, anyday.  I love my macaroni!  This velvety soup is hearty and filling and tastes better a day or two after being made.  You can add the pasta just before you serve it, or cook the pasta in the soup, as I did. 

• 1 pound cannellini (white kidney) beans
• 4 quarts water
• 6 cups chicken stock
• 3 large potatoes, peeled
• 3 sprigs fresh rosemary
• 2 bay leaves
• 1/2 cup (about 6 slices) bacon or pancetta
• 4 cloves garlic, peeled
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 medium carrots, peeled and shredded
• 2 cups canned Italian plum tomatoes with their liquid, crushed
• Salt and pepper
• 3/4 lb. ditalini or any small pasta
• Grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

Quick-soak beans by placing them in a large saucepan, covered with cold water and bringing them to a boil.  Boil 1 minute.  Remove from heat and let stand uncovered 1 hour, then drain and continue with the recipe.

Pour 4 quarts of water and 6 cups of chicken stock into a large stockpot.  Add the drained beans, potatoes, rosemary and bay leaves.  Bring to a boil over high heat and then adjust to a gentle boil.  Let boil about 25 minutes.

Process the bacon and garlic to a paste in a food processor.  Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat.  Cook the bacon-garlic paste until golden, about 5 minutes.  Stir in the onion and cook about 4 minutes.  Stir in the carrots and cook until the onion begins to brown, about 5 minutes.  Add the crushed tomatoes, bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 5 minutes.

Pour the contents of the skillet into the soup pot.  Season with salt and pepper and simmer until beans are tender, 45 minutes to an hour after adding the vegetables.  When soup is almost ready, take out the potatoes and mash with a fork and return to pot, add ditalini pasta and cook until al dente.  Remove rosemary sprigs and bay leaves.  Let soup rest for about 5 minutes, then serve with a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil and a sprinkle of Parmigiano-Reggiano.

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~Adaped from Lidia's Italian-American Kitchen