Minestrone

Tam West

Ingredients

1 pinch	Saffron threads
2 Tbsp	Olive oil
1	Onion, finely sliced or chopped
1	Garlic clove, crushed
2	Carrots, peeled and cut into small dice, about 1cm
2 sticks	Celery, strings removed with a vegetable peeler, cut into small dice
1 small	Fennel bulb, trimmed and very finely sliced, 1 Tbsp of feathery fronds reserved (Main)
1 large	Potato, peeled and cut into dice, about 2cm
1 Ltr	Vegetable stock, or use chicken stock, use up to 1.5 Ltr (Main)
200 g	Chopped tomatoes, canned, in juice
100 g	Risotto rice (Main)
100 g	Chickpeas, canned, drained (Main)
1 block	Parmesan cheese, for grating

Directions

1. Place the saffron in a small cup with 1 tablespoon of hot water and leave to steep.
2. Heat the oil in a heavy-based saucepan over low heat. Add the onion and cook until it begins to soften, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for a further 30 seconds. Add the carrots and cook for 5 minutes, then add the celery and cook for a further 5 minutes.
3. Add the fennel bulb and potato. Stir in the vegetable stock, tomatoes and saffron with its liquid. Increase the heat and bring just up to the boil. Season to taste.
4. Stir in the risotto rice and chickpeas, reduce the heat and simmer minestrone for 15 minutes or until the potato and rice are cooked. Check seasoning again before serving in warmed shallow soup bowls. Chop the reserved fennel fronds and sprinkle over. Serve with parmesan for grating.
5. You could top minestrone with pan-fried or grilled slices of pancetta.