Macaroni and beans (pasta e fagioli)

4 Servings

Ingredients

QuantityIngredient
1cupWhite Kidney Beans; Dried
4cupsBoiling Water
2tablespoonsOlive Oil
1smallOnion; Finely Chopped
1Clove Garlic; Peel, Mince
1slicePancetta Or Unsmoked Bacon; Finely Chopped
1Fresh Plum Tomatoes; Or Canned, Peel, Seed, Finely Chopped
1smallCarrot; Peel, Cut In 1/4\" Dice
1Stalk Celery; Cut In 1/4\" Dice
2Fresh Sage Leaves; Minced, Or 1/4 Tsp Dried
3cupsNonfat Veg Chicken Broth; Low Sod, Or Beef Broth, Or Vegetable Broth
1cupWater
Salt; To Taste
Freshly Ground Black Pepper; To Taste
2cupsDitali; Or Small Shell Pasta, Cooked Al Dente
Extra Virgin Olive Oil; For Drizzling
Freshly Grated Pecorino Romano Cheese; For Serving

Directions

Italy

Rinse the kidney beans in a colander under cold water. Place in a large heatproof bowl and cover with boiling water. Cover with a plate and let soak 1 hr.

Heat the olive oil in the pressure cooker over med-high heat. Add the onion, garlic and pancetta and saute 4 - 5 min, or until the onion is soft.

Stir frequently so that the mixture does not brown. Add the tomato, carrot, celery, and sage. Saute 2 min, stirring frequently. Drain the soaked kidney beans and add to the vegetable mixture. Add the stock and water. Stir well.

Place the lid and lock in position. Raise the heat to high and bring to high pressure. Adjust the heat to stabilize the pressure and cook 15 min.

Remove from heat and lower pressure using the cold-water-release method.

Open the pressure cooker. If the beans are not tender, lock the lid in position and cook an additional 2 - 3 min, or until tender, under high pressure.

Open the pressure cooker. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Add the cooked pasta to the soup. Drizzle each serving with a teaspoon of extra-virgin olive oil. Serve with grated Pecorino Romano cheese.

Makes 4 servings

NOTES : Cal 549.3, Fat 12.9g, Carb 72.6g, Fib 12.4g, Pro 47.7g, Sod 1916mg CFF 19⅖%.

Recipe by: The Ultimate Pressure Cooker Cookbook, Tom Lacalamate Posted to Digest eat-lf.v097.n006 by Reggie Dwork <reggie@...> on Jan 06, 1998