Minestrone

Although spring is supposed to be here I still enjoy having a warm soup, especially on those cooler days. Here below is my minestrone recipe. This is not a Chinese soup but you can give it a Chinese flavour by adding "local" greens such as leek/big spring onion (daaih-syun), white turnip/oriental radish (lòh-baahk), or kohlrabi (gaai-láan-táu), etc.

This wholesome dish with lots of vegetables, beans and pasta is simply delicious. Ideal for vegetarian!

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 onion, thinly sliced
• 1 carrot, chopped
• 1 stick of celery, chopped
• 400 g chopped tomatoes (1 can or fresh ripe tomatoes)
• 2 jade melon- cheui-yuhk-gwâ, chopped
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/2 cup red wine (optional)
• 2 l. water
• 200 g (1 can) cannellini beans (like kidney beans but white)
• A few leaves of spinach, bô-choi
• 50 g linguini + 50 g spaghetti
• Salt & ground black pepper

Steps:

1. Heat olive oil in a large pan. Add chopped onions, garlic, carrots, and celery. Stir-fry until slightly golden. Cover and simmer for 10-15 minutes.
2. Add the tomatoes, jade melon, bay leaf and red wine. Simmer lightly for about 30 minutes. 
3. Add the water. Bring to the boil; reduce heat; add beans, spinach, and pasta.  Stir and cook for 7-8 minutes or until pasta is cooked (al dente).
4. Season with salt and ground black pepper. Discard the bay leaf before serving.

Minestrone with jade melon, carrot, spinach, etc