This is a pretty good version, for Bill.

Pasta and Beans: Pasta e Fagioli
Recipe courtesy Rachael Ray

I could live on this recipe... a quick version of my Gran'pa Emmanuel's
masterwork.

2 tablespoons (2 turns around the pan) extra-virgin olive oil
1/8 pound (about 3 slices) pancetta, chopped
2 (4 to 6-inch) sprigs rosemary, left intact
1 (4 to 6-inch) sprig thyme with several sprigs on it, left intact
1 large fresh bay leaf or 2 dried bay leaves
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 small carrot, finely chopped
1 rib celery, finely chopped
4 large cloves garlic, chopped
Coarse salt and pepper
2 (15 ounce) cans cannellini beans
1 cup canned tomato sauce or canned crushed tomatoes
2 cups water
1 quart chicken stock
1 1/2 cups ditalini
Grated Parmigiano or Romano, for the table
Crusty bread, for mopping

Heat a deep pot over medium high heat and add oil and pancetta. Brown the
pancetta bits lightly, and add herb stems, bay leaf, chopped vegetables, and
garlic. Season vegetables with salt and pepper. Add beans, tomato sauce, water,
and stock to pot and raise heat to high. Bring soup to a rapid boil and add
pasta. Reduce heat to medium and cook soup, stirring occasionally, 6 to 8
minutes or until pasta is cooked al dente. Rosemary and thyme leaves will
separate from stems as soup cooks. Remove herb stems and bay leaf from soup and
place pot on table on a trivet. Let soup rest and begin to cool for a few
minutes. Ladle soup into bowls and top with lots of grated cheese. Pass crusty
bread for bowl mopping.
Yield: 6 BIG servings, leftovers improve
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Difficulty: Medium



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