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You are here: Home / Soups / Ribollita

Ribollita

January 29, 2009 by Mel and Boys Kitchen + 8 Comments

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MelandBoysKitchen

Ribollita

Italian Bean and Rustic Bread Soup
Ribollita is a traditional (peasant) Tuscan soup whose name translates as ‘reboiled’. Traditionally it sits on the stove for a few days, being reheated and dipped into whenever one is hungry, and it develops amazing flavor. Tradtionally the soup has stale bread added to thicken it. With this recipe you put dried rustic bread cubes or my favorite, croutons on the bottom of your bowl and then ladle on the soup. It is intensly flavorful, filling and just wonderful, really. It tastes so fresh and wholesome!
*These are the croutons that I use–they are great for this soup!

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Ribollita


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Ingredients

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  • 1/4 c olive oil
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 1 leek, washed very carefully and chopped–I added this last time and it was great!
  • 1–2 carrots, peeled and chopped
  • 2 ribs celery, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 28 oz can Italian tomatoes, crushed or pureed
  • 6–8 cups chicken broth
  • 2 15oz cans great northern beans (don’t drain)
  • salt to taste (or bouillon)
  • 1 tsp dried red pepper flakes
  • 1 bunch Swiss chard or kale, tough ends removed, green leaves coarsely chopped (spinach will work as well but Swiss chard or kale is best)
  • Dried rustic bread cut in cubes or flavored croutons (Costco Fresh Gourmet Roasted Garlic Focaccia croutons are great!)
  • fresh Parmesan or Romano cheese, grated

Instructions

  1. In a heavy dutch oven, or stockpot heat oil. Add onion, carrot, leek and celery. Cook on low heat, stirring often, until vegetables are tender, about 20 minutes.
  2. Stir in garlic; cook another 2-3 minutes. Stir in tomatoes, broth, beans, salt and red pepper flakes.
  3. Cover and simmer on low for 20 minutes. Add Swiss chard or Kale and cook uncovered until it is tender, about 10 minutes.
  4. Taste for seasoning.
  5. Serve by putting bread cubes or croutons in bottom of bowl.
  6. Spoon soup over bread and sprinkle with cheese.

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Filed Under: Beans, Melanie, Soups, Vegetarian

Comments

  1. Callum says

    February 11, 2014 at 12:06 am

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  2. Livinia Redlips says

    January 25, 2010 at 9:41 pm

    Yikes – chicken broth, veggie's cannot eat chicken broth! I bet it would be delish w/veggie broth instead.

  3. Brittany says

    February 3, 2009 at 3:13 am

    WoW – did Griff really say that?! 🙂 I love this soup too – I brought it to my recipe club! YUM!

  4. Griffin says

    February 2, 2009 at 7:32 pm

    I LOVED this! It was very tasty and felt healthy.

  5. Bunny says

    January 31, 2009 at 2:45 am

    This looks wonderful, I love the idea of putting a rustic bread in the bowl too! Just lovely!

  6. Alisha says

    January 29, 2009 at 9:46 pm

    Your soup recipes always look so great! I’m excited to try this one, too. (Later today I’m posting new mini-cheesecakes in the Demarle straight muffin molds–come take a peek!)

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Hi! I’m Melanie, a Wife, Mother and now a Grandma (Mimi)!  My goal is to help YOU gather your family and friends together, one great recipe at a time!

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Tribute to my sweet Mom

I developed my love of cooking at an early age “helping” my Mom bake cookies, make dinner, and knead bread. She had quite the well of patience! She is the one that taught me about measurements, leavening agents, egg-washes, the basic white sauce, and numerous other mysteries of the kitchen!  I cherish the memories I have of learning to cook at her side. Thank you Mom! You instilled in me a respect for work as well as a joy in creating delicious things. I love you! xoxo

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