Potato, Swiss Chard, and Bread Soup (Zuppa di Patate, Bietole e Pane) is a traditional Italian dish that combines the wholesome flavors of potato, Swiss chard, and rustic bread into a hearty and comforting soup. Originating from the region of Tuscany, this soup is a testament to the region's love for simple yet flavorful cooking. It embodies the essence of Italian cucina povera, a style of cooking that utilizes humble ingredients to create extraordinary dishes.
The recipe begins with a soffritto, a flavorful base made from sautéed onions, celery, and carrots. This aromatic foundation sets the stage for the addition of diced potatoes and Swiss chard, which lend their earthy and slightly bitter flavors to the soup. As the vegetables simmer in a flavorful broth, they release their natural sweetness and create a rich and comforting base.
To add a touch of rustic charm and depth of flavor, stale bread is incorporated into the soup. The bread, soaked in the broth, breaks down and thickens the soup, creating a velvety and satisfying texture. The addition of grated Parmesan cheese adds a salty and nutty dimension, further enhancing the soup's complexity.
This versatile soup offers a canvas for customization. For a vegetarian version, vegetable broth can be used instead of chicken broth. For a heartier meal, cooked beans or lentils can be added to the soup. And for those who prefer a spicier kick, a pinch of red pepper flakes can be added to taste.
Whether served as a comforting main course or as a hearty starter, Potato, Swiss Chard, and Bread Soup is a celebration of simple, wholesome ingredients and the art of transforming them into a delightful meal.
SWISS CHARD & POTATO SOUP
This soup comes from Lucy Waverman's St. Patrick's Day menu in the Globe and Mail (March 2009). Lucy Waverman notes "My grandmother used spinach to make this soup, but it tends not to have a strong enough taste for the potatoes; Swiss Chard matches much better." Cooking time includes puree time. It is also fine without the garnish. Serve with fresh buns or bread.
Provided by Janay
Categories Vegetable
Time 35m
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Heat butter in a pot over medium heat. Add onions and swiss chard stems and saute for 2 minutes or until softened.
- Add potatoes, chicken stock and milk and bring to a boil.
- Simmer soup for 5 minutes; add swiss chard leaves (reserving 1/4 cup for garnish) and simmer 5 minutes longer or until potatoes are very soft and chard is wilted.
- Puree soup in a blender or food processor (An immersion blender also works well). Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Garnish:.
- Heat oil in a small skillet over medium high heat. Working in batches, add Swiss chard (be careful, as it will pop and splatter oil) and fry for 1 to 2 minutes or until crisped.
- Drain on paper towels.
- Garnish soup with crinkled Swiss chard.
SWISS CHARD AND POTATO SOUP
Provided by Florence Fabricant
Categories dinner, weekday, soups and stews, appetizer
Time 1h
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Place bacon in a heavy 4-quart saucepan. Add 1/3 cup water, and cook over medium heat until water evaporates. Add 2 tablespoons oil. Sauté until lightly browned. Drain, leaving 2 tablespoons fat in pan.
- Add onion and garlic to oil in pan and sauté over low heat until soft and barely golden. Add potatoes and 8 cups water. Bring to a boil, season with salt, and cook until potatoes are soft, about 15 minutes.
- If using the eggs, poach them, drain, trim any ragged edges, and set aside.
- Remove potatoes with a slotted spoon to a large mixing bowl, and roughly mash them with a fork or a potato masher. Return potatoes to liquid in pot, and stir to dissolve them.
- Add chickpeas, reserved bacon, chard leaves and 2 tablespoons olive oil. Bring to a simmer, and cook about 5 minutes, until leaves wilt. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to warm soup plates. If using the eggs, add one to each plate. Top with chopped cilantro and a drizzle of the remaining olive oil.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 459, UnsaturatedFat 20 grams, Carbohydrate 40 grams, Fat 29 grams, Fiber 8 grams, Protein 13 grams, SaturatedFat 7 grams, Sodium 734 milligrams, Sugar 5 grams, TransFat 0 grams
POTATO AND SWISS CHARD GRATIN
Jim Leiken, the executive chef at DBGB Kitchen & Bar, cooked us this hearty, rustic dish of fork-tender potatoes, Swiss chard and bubbling Gruyère that can move easily from a satellite role to the centerpiece of a vegetarian holiday meal.
Provided by Elaine Louie
Categories casseroles, side dish
Time 1h45m
Yield 6 to 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Heat the oven to 350 degrees, and place rack in the center. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil; set a bowl of ice water on the side. Boil the chard leaves until tender, 3 to 5 minutes, then transfer with a slotted spoon to the ice water. Squeeze them dry and chop roughly. Boil the diced stems until tender, 3 to 5 minutes. Drain well and add to chopped chard leaves.
- In a small saucepan, bring the heavy cream, garlic, shallot, thyme and bay leaf to a simmer. Cook until reduced by half, about 25 minutes. Strain out the solids and add the nutmeg.
- Meanwhile, slice the potatoes into 1/8-inch-thick rounds with a mandoline or sharp knife. Butter a 12- to 14-inch gratin dish. Assemble the gratin by layering the ingredients in this order: a single, slightly overlapping layer of one-third of the potato slices, a sprinkling of salt and pepper, one-third of the Gruyère, half the Swiss chard and one-third of the reduced cream. Repeat once, and then top with one more layer of potato, salt and pepper, and the rest of the Gruyère and cream.
- Bake until the top is browned and the potatoes are fork-tender, about 45 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 507, UnsaturatedFat 12 grams, Carbohydrate 36 grams, Fat 36 grams, Fiber 5 grams, Protein 13 grams, SaturatedFat 22 grams, Sodium 771 milligrams, Sugar 5 grams, TransFat 0 grams
LEEK AND SWISS CHARD SOUP ITALIAN - ZUPPA DI PORRI E BIETOLE
Posting this for cooler weather - simple, elegant & uses veggies we grow - can't beat that! Received via email from gourmet-recipes-from-around-the-world. Thanks Joe!
Provided by Busters friend
Categories < 60 Mins
Time 45m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- In a large saucepan over low heat, cook the leeks in the butter and oil until tender and golden.
- Add the Swiss chard and stock and bring to a simmer.
- Cook until the chard wilts, about 10 minutes.
- Add the rice, salt, and pepper.
- Cover and cook over low heat about 20 minutes until the rice is cooked.
- Stir in cheese and serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 235.2, Fat 11.3, SaturatedFat 5.3, Cholesterol 20.8, Sodium 227.3, Carbohydrate 28.5, Fiber 2.4, Sugar 2.4, Protein 5.8
SWISS POTATO SOUP
You have a few options when it comes to fixing this soup-it can also be made in the microwave or started in a slow cooker in the morning. -Krista Musser, Orrville, Ohio
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Lunch
Time 30m
Yield 4 servings (1 quart).
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- In a large saucepan, cook bacon until crisp; remove to paper towels with a slotted spoon. Drain, reserving 1 tablespoon drippings. , Saute onion in drippings until tender. Add water, potatoes, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, until potatoes are tender, about 12 minutes., Combine flour and milk until smooth; gradually stir into potato mixture. Bring to a boil; cook and stir until thickened and bubbly, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat; stir in cheese until melted. Sprinkle with bacon.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 455 calories, Fat 17g fat (9g saturated fat), Cholesterol 46mg cholesterol, Sodium 1218mg sodium, Carbohydrate 57g carbohydrate (12g sugars, Fiber 4g fiber), Protein 21g protein.
POTATO, SWISS CHARD, AND BREAD SOUP (ZUPPA DI PATATE, BIETOLE, E PANE)
Steps:
- Pour enough cold water over the potatoes in a deep, heavy 4-quart pot to cover by three fingers. Salt the water lightly and bring to a boil. Adjust the heat so the water is at a gentle boil and cook the potatoes, covered, until they are tender but still hold their shape, about 15 minutes. Meanwhile, strip the chard leaves from the stems. Wash the chard in a sinkful of cool water, swishing it well and waiting for the dirt to settle to the bottom of the sink. Scoop the chard out with a wire skimmer or your hands; drain well in a colander. Cut the chard leaves into 1 1/2 inch strips and stir them into the water after the potatoes have been cooking about 5 minutes. Stir the bread into the pot after the chard has been cooking about 5 minutes. Season the soup with salt and cook until the potatoes and chard are tender and the bread is falling apart, about 10 minutes. Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a small skillet over low heat. Whack the garlic cloves with the side of a knife and stir them into the oil. Sprinkle the crushed red pepper over the oil and cook until the garlic is golden, about 3 minutes. Scrape the contents of the skillet into the pot. Stir well. Taste the soup and season with additional salt if you like. Ladle the soup into warm bowls, and sprinkle some of the grated cheese over the top of each, or pass a bowl of cheese separately.
Tips:
- Use fresh, seasonal ingredients. This will ensure that your soup is packed with flavor.
- Don't be afraid to experiment with different types of bread. Stale bread is traditional, but you can also use fresh bread, sourdough, or even cornbread.
- Add a variety of vegetables to your soup. This will make it more nutritious and flavorful. Some good options include potatoes, carrots, celery, onion, and garlic.
- Don't overcook the vegetables. You want them to be tender, but not mushy.
- Season the soup to taste. Use salt, pepper, and other herbs and spices to create a flavorful broth.
- Serve the soup hot, with a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese.
Conclusion:
Potato, Swiss chard, and bread soup is a hearty, flavorful soup that is perfect for a cold winter day. It is also a great way to use up leftover bread. With a few simple ingredients, you can create a delicious and satisfying meal that the whole family will enjoy.
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