Cabbages and Kings Soup
Why I Love This Recipe
An easy, healthy, hearty and scrumptious apres ski soup!
Ingredients You'll Need
Optional: Add sausage, chicken or ground beef for a heartier protein meal
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
One 2-ounce piece pancetta, finely diced
1 medium onion, finely diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 ounce anchovy paste (4 teaspoons) or 4 anchovy fillets
1 1/4 cup farro
1/2 head Savoy cabbage—tough stems discarded, leaves torn into large pieces
1/2 bunch red Russian kale, stems discarded
1 can of white kidney beans or 1 c chopped potatoes
2 quarts chicken stock or low-sodium chicken broth
1 cup water
6 thyme sprigs
1 small rosemary sprig
1 ounce Parmigiano-Reggiano rind plus 3 tablespoons grated cheese
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1/2 cup finely chopped flat-leaf parsley
Directions
In large pot, heat the oil. Add the pancetta and cook over moderate heat until the fat is rendered, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the onion and garlic and cook until softened, 5 minutes. Add the anchovy paste and cook for 30 seconds. Add the farro and cook, stirring, for 3 minutes. Add the cabbage and kale and cook, stirring, until just wilted.
Add the chicken stock, water, thyme and rosemary sprigs and cheese rind and bring to a simmer. Cover the soup, transfer to the oven and cook for about 1 hour, until the farro and greens are tender. Alternatively, simmer the soup over moderate heat for 1 hour. Season the soup with salt and pepper. Transfer the soup to bowls, garnish the soup with the parsley and grated cheese and serve.
