Minestra (Mixed Vegetable Soup) is a traditional Serbian recipe for a classic soup of mixed vegetables and French beans with noodles and bacon. The full recipe is presented here and I hope you enjoy this classic Serbian version of: Mixed Vegetable Soup (Minestra).
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Ingredients:
4 slices bacon, chopped
1 tbsp olive oil
1 onion, chopped
1 leek, chopped
1 tin whole tomatoes, chopped
2 large carrots, chopped
1 medium kohlrabi, chopped
1 medium courgette (zucchini), chopped
75g French beans, trimmed and halved
salt and freshly-ground black pepper, to taste
3l chicken stock
80g fresh or frozen garden peas
70g noodles (or rice)
1 slice bacon
2 garlic cloves, grated
2 tbsp parsley, finely chopped
Parmesan cheese, to taste
Method:
Heat the oil in a large pan and use to fry the bacon and leek for about 5 minutes. Add all the vegetables (except the peas) and stir to combine before adding the chicken stock. Adjust the seasoning to taste, then bring the mixture to a boil, reduce to a simmer and cook for 30 minutes before adding the peas and noodles.
Continue cooking for about 10 minutes, or until the noodles are soft (cook for 20 minutes if using rice). Fry the remaining slice of bacon until crisp then crumble into the soup before adding the garlic. Stir in the parsley and allow the soup to simmer for a further 20 minutes.
Serve ladled into warmed soup bowls and garnish with the grated Parmesan cheese.
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