Sunday, October 23, 2011

a glimpse of my peaceful sunday

 Sweet pussy cats sleeping away the afternoon...


Barley Minestrone soup simmering on the stove....
(Recipe at end of post)


And oatmeal cookies (standard Quaker Oats recipe) with 
dried cranberries and white chocolate chips, fresh out of the oven...


BARLEY MINESTRONE
(From Fine Cooking)

2 T. extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 c. (about 1 oz.) finely diced pancetta (I used bacon)
2 c. large diced Savoy cabbage
1 c. medium diced yellow onion
1 c. sliced carrot
1/4 c. medium diced celery
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 quarts low-salt chicken broth
1 14-1/2 oz. can diced tomatoes, with their juices
1/2 c. pearl barley, rinsed
2 large sprigs fresh rosemary
2" square Parmigiano-reggiano rind (optional)
Kosher salt
1 c. rinsed & drained canned kidney beans
Fesh ground black pepper
Freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano for serving

Heat the oil in a heavy 6-qt. or larger pot over medium heat. Add the pancetta and cook, stirring frequently, until it becomes ever so slightly golden 2-3 min. Add the cabbage, onion, carrot, celery, and garlic. Cook, stirring frequently, until the vegetables begin to soften, about 6 min. Add the broth, the tomatoes with their juices, the barley, rosemary, Parmigiano rind (if using), 1/2 tsp. salt, and 1 c. water. Bring to a boil over high heat and then reduce the heat to a simmer and cook until the barley and vegetables are tender, about 20 min. Discard the rosemary springs and Parmigiano rind. Stir in the beans and season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve sprinkled with the grated Parmigiano.


8 comments:

  1. *sigh* What a lovely Sunday...peaceful and purrfect!

    Hugs from Holland ~
    Heidi

    ReplyDelete
  2. Now that's a GOOD Sunday. Hugs, Deb=^..^=x4

    ReplyDelete
  3. Your kitties are so precious! Your yesterday sure looked and sounded like a wonderful day. I make a lot of soup around here. And that oatmeal recipe is one of my favorites. I always use dried cranberries; so much tastier than raisins. Hope you have a great week. Tammy

    ReplyDelete
  4. Sounds like a perfectly relaxing day! Delicious soup simmering on the stove and two kitties curled up in the chair. Your oatmeal cookies with the cranberries looks really tasty too. If I showed up at your house tomorrow would you make them again? :-)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Ah yes, a peaceful Sunday, just my kind of day. I had my son, daughter-in-law and grandson here on Sunday, so I was in heaven!

    ReplyDelete
  6. A peaceful Sunday is a blessing, isn't it? Your minestrone & cookies look delicious!

    ReplyDelete
  7. That's my kind of Sunday! Lazy days and lots of amazing comfort food in the kitchen. Love the Minestrone.... looks delish~~!
    Lisa

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for taking the time to leave a kind comment - I read and appreciate each one!