Escarole and Pastina Soup

This delicious Escarole and Pastina soup includes many Italian flavors that remind me of my childhood. This soup is perfect for a wintery day. Add chicken or sausage to make the soup heartier.

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Escarole and Pastina Soup
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Servings
people
Ingredients
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Servings
people
Ingredients
Instructions
  1. Heat oil in a large pot. Add onion, carrot and garlic, salt and pepper. Cook on medium-low heat until the onion is tender, about 8 minutes.
  2. Turn the heat to medium-high. Add the escarole and cook, stirring for a few minutes until the escarole is wilted. Add the broth, beans, and tomatoes. Simmer over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Simmer until the escarole is tender, about 20 minutes.
  3. Add the spinach and stir for a minute or two minutes until the spinach is wilted.
  4. Cook the pastina separately. Scoop pastina into the bowls. Ladle the soup on top of the pastina. Sprinkle with cheese. Serve the soup hot!
Recipe Notes

The recipe was adapted from the Los Angeles Times.

Quinoa Summer Salad

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Quinoa Summer Salad
Servings
Ingredients
Quinoa
Veggie Mix
Dressing
Servings
Ingredients
Quinoa
Veggie Mix
Dressing
Instructions
  1. Add the quinoa/rice mix, water and salt to a medium sauce pan. Heat to a boil, reduce to simmer, cover for about 20 minutes.
  2. While the quinoa is cooking, cut up all of the veggies and place in a large mixing bowl
  3. In a smaller bowl or dressing container, mix in all of the dressing ingredients.
  4. When it has finished cooking, add the quinoa to the large mixing bowl and top with the dressing and feta cheese. Toss everything together.
  5. Serve and enjoy! Store in the refrigerator in a sealed container for up to a week.
Recipe Notes
  • Beans of Choice: You can’t go wrong here, so try your favorite bean. I like using chickpeas, lentils, kidney beans or black beans.
  • Quinoa: Don’t like quinoa? Swap in another grain like brown rice or couscous.
  • Vinegar: Don’t have rice vinegar or red wine vinegar on hand? Try apple cider vinegar, white vinegar or even balsamic vinegar.