Minestrone Soup & Focaccia Recipe

🥣

Serves: 4–6

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

🧅 Ingredients

For the Minestrone Soup:

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 1 onion, finely chopped

• 2 garlic cloves, minced

• 2 carrots, diced

• 2 celery sticks, diced

• 1 courgette (zucchini), diced

• 1 small potato, diced

• 1 cup chopped cabbage or kale

• 1 can (400 g / 14 oz) chopped tomatoes

• 1 can (400 g / 14 oz) mixed beans or cannellini beans, drained and rinsed

• 1.5 L (6 cups) vegetable stock

• 1 tsp dried oregano

• 1 tsp dried basil

• Salt and black pepper, to taste

• 100 g (about 1 cup) small pasta (fusilli, ditalini, or macaroni)

• Grated Parmesan (optional, for serving)

For the Herb Focaccia:

• 500 g (4 cups) strong bread flour

• 2 tsp salt

• 7 g (1 sachet) fast-action dried yeast

• 325 ml (1⅓ cups) warm water

• 3 tbsp olive oil (plus extra for drizzling)

• 1 tsp dried mixed herbs or rosemary

• Sea salt flakes, for topping

👩‍🍳 Method

1. Make the Soup

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.

2. Add onion, garlic, carrots, and celery. Sauté for 5–6 minutes until softened.

3. Stir in courgette, potato, oregano, and basil; cook for another 3 minutes.

4. Add chopped tomatoes, beans, and vegetable stock. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.

5. Stir in pasta and cabbage/kale; cook until pasta is tender (about 10 minutes).

6. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

7. Serve hot, topped with grated Parmesan.

2. Make the Focaccia

1. Mix flour, salt, and yeast in a large bowl.

2. Add warm water and olive oil, mixing until a soft dough forms.

3. Knead on a lightly floured surface for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.

4. Place in an oiled bowl, cover, and let rise for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.

5. Knock down the dough and press it into a greased baking tray.

6. Use your fingers to make dimples on top; drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with herbs and sea salt.

7. Cover and let rise again for 30 minutes.

8. Bake at 200°C (400°F) for 20–25 minutes, until golden brown.

9. Cool slightly before slicing and serving with the soup.

Serving Suggestion

Serve a generous bowl of minestrone with a warm slice of herb focaccia and a pat of salted butter. Perfect for cozy lunches or light dinners.

Would you like me to make it vegetarian/vegan, or keep it as a classic Italian-style recipe with Parmesan?