Test Tasters Wanted

My husband, Cathy, and Bob responded quickly to my call out for their input. I was trying out three recipes to submit to a magazine for a fall publication and they were all on board quickly. Never mind the fact it was 92 degrees outside but margaritas did help sweeten the deal some. 

Pasta e Fagioli

This Italian-style soup is loaded with hearty ground beef, fresh vegetables, creamy 

beans, tender pasta, and delicious herbs all in a rich and savory broth that rivals 

Olive Garden's signature soup. A skewer of blackberry with two cheeses and  

crackers and a watermelon slice was the perfect side.  

Cook's Notes: Pasta e Fagioli means "pasta and beans” and is a traditional 

Italian dish. Like many other Italian favorites, including pizza and polenta, the dish 

started as a peasant dish, being composed of inexpensive ingredients. Add dried 

pasta in the last 20 minutes of cooking time to avoid the pasta becoming mushy. I 

found using Italian sausage adds more flavor.

Ingredients:

1 lb. ground beef or Italian Sweet Sausage

Salt and pepper to taste

1 cup each of diced sweet onions, carrots, red peppers, and celery

3 minced garlic cloves

1 can diced tomatoes (basil, garlic)

3 cups of chicken broth

½ cup water

1 can dark red kidney beans, drained and rinsed

1 can Great Northern White Beans, drained and rinsed 

1 jar (24.5 oz.) Marinara Sauce

1 bay leaf

1 teaspoon each of Italian seasoning, chili powder, parsley flakes

½ teaspoon each oregano and sugar

Dash of red pepper flakes

Optional ¼ tsp. espresso powder (adds depth of flavor) 

1 cup uncooked dried pasta, e.g. ditalini, small shells, elbow macaroni

Directions:

Brown meat with onions, peppers, celery, carrots, and garlic in a frying pan. 

Crumble meat, drain, and pat dry of grease.

Add meat mixture to slow cooker with rest of listed ingredients except pasta. Mix 

well. 

Cook soup on low for 4 hours in a slow cooker. Stir occasionally. Add in pasta last 

20 minutes of cooking time. It should be cooked al dente.

Remove the bay leaf. May need to add more broth as pasta does absorb a lot of liquid.

Note: Soup can also be cooked covered on stove top on low setting for one hour, do 

not let the mixture boil.

Also on the testing agenda were Pumpkin Applesauce Muffins a recipe previously posted  https://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2023/09/pumpkin-applesauce-muffins.html
and a Shrimp Tomato Avocado Appetizer (plated two ways) 

recipe posted tomorrow.