Indulge in the rustic flavors of Tuscany with Ribollita, a hearty bread and vegetable soup that epitomizes Italian comfort food. This classic dish boasts a rich history dating back to the 16th century, showcasing the region's bountiful harvest of fresh vegetables, stale bread, and flavorful olive oil. Ribollita is not just a soup; it's a culinary journey that warms the soul and celebrates the essence of Italian cuisine. In this article, we bring you two delightful variations of Ribollita: the traditional version and a contemporary vegetarian rendition. Both recipes capture the spirit of this Tuscan gem, offering a symphony of textures and flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. So, gather your ingredients, prepare your palate, and embark on a culinary adventure that pays homage to the timeless tradition of Ribollita.
Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!
RIBOLLITA (HEARTY TUSCAN BEAN, BREAD, AND VEGETABLE STEW) RECIPE
This hearty Tuscan stew is loaded with tender vegetables and beans and thickened with bread. You can even simmer it down, then cook it into a savory vegetable pancake.
Provided by Daniel Gritzer
Categories Entree Appetizers and Hors d'Oeuvres Mains Soups and Stews
Time 1h
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- In a large Dutch oven or soup pot, heat olive oil over medium heat with garlic. Cook, stirring, until garlic is fragrant and very lightly golden. Add onion, leek, carrots, squash, turnip, and celery and cook, stirring, until slightly softened but not browned, about 5 minutes.
- Add enough water to slightly cover vegetables (about 6 cups; 1.5L) along with kale and bouquet garnis and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Lower heat to maintain simmer and cook until vegetables are very tender, about 25 minutes.
- Stir in beans and their cooking liquid (or 1 cup water if using canned beans). Add bread, stir well, and simmer until bread is very soft and breaking down, about 15 minutes. Add water, 1/2 cup at a time, if soup becomes too thick and dry.
- Season with salt and pepper. The soup can be served at varying consistencies: more wet and broth-y, like a thick, chunky soup, or cooked down until thickened like a porridge. Once reduced to a thick porridge, you can ladle some of it into a small (8-inch) nonstick skillet with 1 tablespoon oil and cook over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until it coalesces into a dense mass; it will eventually take the shape of a pancake. (If your flipping skills are good, you can flip it to serve it browned side up.) Slide it onto a plate. To serve at any consistency, drizzle with fresh olive oil and top with freshly ground black pepper and grated cheese (optional).
Nutrition Facts : Calories 237 kcal, Carbohydrate 40 g, Cholesterol 0 mg, Fiber 10 g, Protein 8 g, SaturatedFat 1 g, Sodium 512 mg, Sugar 8 g, Fat 6 g, ServingSize Serves 6 to 8, UnsaturatedFat 0 g
RIBOLLITA (VEGETABLE, BEAN AND STALE BREAD SOUP)
Provided by Rachael Ray : Food Network
Time 5h35m
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 19
Steps:
- Variations: For a sweeter soup, add chopped fennel to your mix. For autumn, add zucchini or butternut squash to your blend.
- Drain the beans and place in a pot with 4 cups chicken stock, 1 clove garlic, half an onion and some salt and pepper. Bring to a low boil, reduce the heat and simmer until tender, 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Bake the bread until deeply golden and toasted. Store in foil.
- Heat 1/4 cup EVOO, 4 turns of the pan, over medium-high heat in a large Dutch oven. Add the chopped onions, carrots, celery, remaining 3 cloves garlic, chile flakes, bay leaf and herb bundle. Season with salt and pepper. Cook, partially covered, to soften, about 5 minutes. Add the wine, kale, cabbage and a little nutmeg. Stir. Wilt the greens, partially covered, 5 to 6 minutes more. Add the beans and their liquids and the tomato puree. Stir. Add 2 cups more stock (reserve 2 cups for the night you serve). Add the cheese rind to the soup. Simmer to combine flavors, 15 minutes. Remove 3 cups of the beans and vegetables, about half the soup, to food processor and puree. Then add back to pot. Cool and store the soup for a make-ahead meal.
- To serve, heat the soup over medium heat, add the bread to the soup and let it absorb the liquid. Thin the soup with the remaining 2 cups of stock. Taste to adjust seasoning. Remove the herb bundle, rind and bay leaf. The ribollita is done when a wooden spoon can stand straight up in the soup. Ladle into shallow bowls and garnish with a generous drizzle of EVOO, finely chopped raw onion and cheese. Leftover soup can be fried in olive oil in a skillet like potato pancakes or hash, and topped with over easy or fried eggs.
TUSCAN BREAD AND VEGETABLE SOUP (RIBOLLITA)
Make and share this Tuscan Bread and Vegetable Soup (Ribollita) recipe from Food.com.
Provided by ratherbeswimmin
Categories Vegetable
Time 4h
Yield 8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 20
Steps:
- Prepare the broth, if necessary.
- Then, pour the olive oil in a large pot.
- Add the celery, carrots, garlic, onion, and herbs.
- Cook, stirring frequently over medium heat until the celery and other aromatics are tender and golden, about 20 minutes.
- Add the tomatoes and cook 10 minutes.
- Stir in the beans, remaining vegetables, and salt and pepper to taste.
- Add the broth and water to just cover.
- Bring to a simmer.
- Cook gently, over very low heat, until the vegetables are tender, about 2 hours.
- Let cool slightly.
- When ready to serve, pour about 4 cups of the soup into a blender or food processor.
- Puree the soup, then transfer it to a pot along with the remaining soup; reheat gently.
- Choose a soup tureen or pot large enough to hold the bread and soup.
- Place a layer of bread slices on the bottom.
- Spoon on enough of the soup to cover the bread completely.
- Repeat layering until all the soup is used and the bread is soaked.
- Let stand at least 20 minutes; it should be very thick.
- Stir the soup to break up the bread.
- Drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil and sprinkle with the red onion.
- Serve warm or at room temperature.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 327.7, Fat 9.6, SaturatedFat 1.6, Cholesterol 0.6, Sodium 884, Carbohydrate 48.8, Fiber 11.1, Sugar 10, Protein 14
RIBOLLITA (TUSCAN BREAD SOUP)
Provided by Linda Richardson
Categories dinner, soups and stews, appetizer
Time 2h
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Sort, wash and drain the beans. Soak overnight in enough water to cover by 2 inches. Alternatively, quick-soak the beans by boiling them for 5 minutes in the same amount of water. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 1 hour.
- Drain the beans and put them into a saucepan with 1 1/2 quarts of cold water. Bring the beans to a boil, lower the heat and simmer, partially covered, for 45 minutes or until tender, but not mushy. Drain.
- Toast the bread lightly; it should not be dark brown. Cut each slice into 4 pieces. Set aside in a dry place, such as an unheated gas oven.
- Bring the stock to a boil in a 4-quart saucepan and add the kale. Reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Add the carrots and cook for 10 minutes. Add the potatoes, garlic and beans and let simmer for about 5 minutes, or until the potatoes are barely tender. Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Ladle a layer of soup into a 10- cup ovenproof casserole. Cover the soup with a single layer of toast squares. Drizzle 1 tablespoon of olive oil over the toast. Repeat with the remaining soup and toast and more of the oil, ending with a layer of soup. Push the toast gently with a spoon to insure that it is submerged. Drizzle the rest of the oil over the top.
- Cover and bake for 40 minutes; for a firmer-textured soup, uncover for the last 20 minutes. Serve with grated cheese on the side.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 541, UnsaturatedFat 15 grams, Carbohydrate 50 grams, Fat 21 grams, Fiber 7 grams, Protein 41 grams, SaturatedFat 5 grams, Sodium 856 milligrams, Sugar 6 grams, TransFat 0 grams
Tips:
- To save time, use pre-cut vegetables or a food processor to chop the vegetables.
- If you don't have any stale bread, you can toast fresh bread and then let it cool before using it.
- Use a variety of vegetables to make the soup more flavorful. Some good options include carrots, celery, onions, potatoes, kale, and spinach.
- Don't be afraid to experiment with different spices and herbs. Some good options include garlic, rosemary, thyme, and oregano.
- Serve the soup with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese.
Conclusion:
Tuscan bread and vegetable soup, also known as ribollita, is a hearty and flavorful soup that is perfect for a cold winter day. It is made with a variety of vegetables, stale bread, and beans. The soup is typically simmered for several hours, which allows the flavors to meld together. Ribollita can be served as a main course or as a side dish. It is also a great way to use up leftover vegetables.
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