Pasta e Fagioli

An Italian classic. As kids, we called it Pasta Fazoo. This recipe is adapted from The Dean & DeLuca Cookbook.

Serves 4 as an entree

INGREDIENTS

1/4 pound (about 1 cup) dried beans - Great Northern or Cannelini

1 T olive oil

1 stalk celery, chopped

1 medium onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

Dried herbs: basil, thyme, rosemary, bay leaf

1 quart chicken broth

1 cup water

1 14-ounce can whole peeled tomatoes

1 rind Parmesan (just trim the rind off of whatever size chunk of Parm you have on hand)

1/2 cup dried pasta (2 ounces) - use a small shape like ditali, orzo, elbows, or small shells

METHOD

Pour olive oil into a soup pot and set over medium heat. Add the celery, onion and garlic and saute gently until softened, about 3-5 minutes.

Add broth, water, tomatoes, herbs, Parmesan rind, and beans and bring to a boil. Simmer gently until beans are cooked and soft, about 1-2 hours.

Remove cheese rind and bay lead and taste for seasoning, adding salt and fresh ground pepper to taste.

Add dried pasta to soup. Boil for 10-15 minutes, or until pasta is cooked thru.

Serve, garnished with fresh basil.