PROSCIUTTO SOUP

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Prosciutto Soup image

Categories     Side     Stew     Prosciutto     Boil

Yield makes 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 7

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1/4 pound prosciutto, in 1 chunk or slice
4 garlic cloves
1 medium onion
1/2 pound greens, like spinach or kale
3/4 cup small pasta, like orzo or small shells
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Steps:

  • Bring 6 cups of water to a boil in a pot or kettle. Put 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in the bottom of a saucepan and turn the heat to medium. Chop the prosciutto (remove the fat if you must, but remember that it has flavor) into 1/4-inch or smaller cubes and add to the oil. Brown, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes, while you prepare the garlic, onion, and greens.
  • Peel the garlic and chop it roughly or leave it whole. Peel and chop the onion. Wash and chop the greens into bite-sized pieces.
  • When the prosciutto has browned, add the garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until it begins to color, about 2 minutes. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until it becomes translucent, 2 or 3 minutes. Add the greens and stir, then add the boiling water. (You can prepare the dish in advance up to this point. Cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days, then reheat before proceeding.) Stir in the pasta and a good sprinkling of salt and pepper; adjust the heat so the mixture simmers.
  • When the pasta is done, taste and adjust the seasoning. Drizzle with the remaining olive oil and serve.
  • Variations
  • The basic recipe, though delicious, is on the meager side, the kind of soup people make when times are hard or no one's been shopping lately: a small piece of meat, some common vegetables, a little pasta. But you can make it as elaborate as you like and even convert it to a stew by doubling the amount of meat, vegetables, and pasta. The chopping time will be extended slightly, but the cooking time will remain more or less the same.
  • Add more root vegetables, like thinly sliced carrots or chopped celery, or diced potatoes or turnips.
  • Vary the greens: Shredded cabbage is perfect for this soup and will cook as quickly as kale. Collard, mustard, and turnip greens are also appropriate. Some peas and/or corn will work nicely, too, even if they come from the freezer.
  • Use any starch you like in place of the pasta: Rice and barley, each of which take a few minutes longer than pasta, are good choices.
  • Add tomatoes, either fresh, canned, or paste, for color and flavor. To use tomato paste, just stir a couple of tablespoons into the sautéing vegetables before adding the water. Tomatoes should be added with the onions so they have time to break up.
  • Leftovers are great, like a bit of chopped chicken or some vegetables from a previous meal (rinse them with boiling water if they were sauced).
  • Consider the chopped-up rind of hard cheese, like Parmesan, which will not only soften enough to become edible during cooking but will add great flavor to the soup.

Abdul Awal
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This soup is easy to make and it's very affordable.


Essie Hayes
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I've made this soup several times and it's always a hit.


Aman Abera
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This soup is perfect for a cold winter day.


Asen Bukov
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I'm not a big fan of ham, but I loved this soup!


Crish LB
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This soup is a great way to use up leftover ham.


Aziz Boukhari
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The flavors in this soup are amazing!


Miro Moon
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I love the creamy texture of this soup.


Mentsnot Memiru
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This soup is easy to make and it's very affordable.


kztfr kztfr
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I've made this soup several times and it's always a hit. It's a great soup to serve for a crowd.


Josiah Jeffries
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This soup is perfect for a cold winter day. It's hearty and filling, and the flavors are very comforting.


Makungo Shumani
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I'm not a big fan of ham, but I loved this soup! The flavors were well-balanced and the soup was very creamy.


Maria Patten
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This soup is a great way to use up leftover ham. I had some leftover Easter ham and this soup was the perfect way to use it up.


Sitaram Bk
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I made this soup for a potluck and it was a hit! Everyone loved it. The soup was easy to make and the ingredients were easy to find.


Stella Giannone
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This soup was absolutely delicious! I followed the recipe exactly and it turned out perfectly. The flavors were rich and complex, and the soup was very hearty and filling. I will definitely be making this again!