Vegetable Soup with Fennel and Pine-Nut Toasts

{"handle":"vegetable-soup-with-fennel-and-pine-nut-toasts","title":"Vegetable Soup with Fennel and Pine-Nut Toasts","seoTitle":"Vegetable Soup with Fennel and Pine-Nut Toasts","ingredients":"

• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)
• 2 large bulbs fennel—quartered, cored and coarsely chopped, fronds reserved for garnish
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 4 ribs celery with leafy tops,thinly sliced on an angle
• 3 carrots, peeled and thinly sliced on an angle
• 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt and pepper
• Two containers chicken broth (32-ounce), (8 cups)
• 1/2 pound egg noodles
• 1/2 cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese
• 1/4 cup pine nuts, chopped
• 4 tablespoons butter, softened
• 1/2 loaf ciabatta bread, split
• 2 teaspoons grated lemon peel

","preparation":"

In a soup pot, heat the EVOO, 3 turns of the pan, over medium-high heat. Add the fennel, onion, celery, carrots, garlic and bay leaf; season with salt and pepper and cook until the vegetables are softened, 10 minutes. Add the chicken broth and bring to a boil. Stir in the egg noodles and cook until al dente, about 10 minutes.

Preheat the broiler. Using a food processor, combine the cheese, nuts and butter. Lightly toast the ciabatta halves under the broiler for about 2 minutes. Spread the cheese mixture on the toast and melt under the broiler. Cut into eighths.

Discard the bay leaf; sprinkle the fennel fronds on the soup. Add the lemon peel. Ladle the soup into bowls and serve with the toasts for dunking.

","tags":"30 Minute Meals,cheese,dinner,lunch,pasta,rice, grains and breads,sauté,simmer,vegetables","publishDate":"2008-02-05T08:00:00Z","status":"Publish","author":"rachael-ray","image":false}