Fall

Reheated Minestra with Olive Oil and Stale Bread

by:
July 18, 2021
5
1 Ratings
Reheated Minestra with Olive Oil and Stale Bread
Photo by Bobbi Lin
  • Prep time 5 minutes
  • Cook time 1 minute
  • Serves 4 people, for two meals
Author Notes

Although this isn't the dish most Italians call minestra, it's what my family from Lazio calls it. It's a mixture of lots of greens and beans, with enough liquid to soak up with your fresh bread the first day. However, eating minestra the next day is even better, with lots of extra virgin olive oil and stale chunks of bread to soak up the liquid. It's definitely not the prettiest of dishes, but the flavor more than makes up for it...oh, and it's really good for you too! https://www.christinascucina.com/minestra-healthy-greens-and-beans/ —Christina @ Christina's Cucina

Test Kitchen Notes

This is a classic Minestra -- delicious as written and also open to interpretation. ccincalif gives us a soup, (zuppa) that is hearty and loaded with healthful vegetables, with bread that soaks it all up, making it a filling meal. I made the minestra following the recipe with a few minor changes: I could not find fresh dandelion so I subbed escarole. I also started with 20 ounces of water but ended up using 32 ounces to make it a bit more soupy. My first bowl on day one was wonderful, rich, warming and quite filling, and the flavor of the olive oil gives this soup a real Italian flair. On day two, I added sliced pancetta to the mix and finished with a shaving of pecorino. It brought back memories of my family! I enjoyed every spoonful of this delicious soup. —sdebrango

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • For the minestra:
  • 6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • For the reheated minestra with olive oil and stale bread:
  • 1 1/2 cups stale, crusty Italian bread, torn into bite-size pieces (measurement isn't important, just add more or less bread to your liking)
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See what other Food52ers are saying.

  • Cheryl
    Cheryl
  • Christina @ Christina's Cucina
    Christina @ Christina's Cucina
  • Joyce Kreimer
    Joyce Kreimer

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8 Reviews

Cheryl
Cheryl March 17, 2022
Christina, something happened to the website and (at least today) the recipe isn't shown. It only has the first 2 ingredients and the rest is chopped off. Would love if we can get the entire recipe back! Thanks
 
Christina @.
Christina @. March 17, 2022
Here you go: https://www.christinascucina.com/minestra-healthy-greens-and-beans/
 
Cheryl
Cheryl March 17, 2022
Thank you!
 
Joyce K.
Joyce K. August 27, 2018
I was so excited when i found thisrecipe. All i have is a quick written recipe with no instructions. I remember my grandmother boiling theSavoy cabbage first just a little then drain out well then added it to olive oil and lots of garlic. She would also add kidney beans and potatoes. The next day she would add stale Italian bread omg so good!
 
Christina @.
Christina @. August 27, 2018
That's wonderful, Joyce! Happy when my recipes are helpful in connecting people to old family dishes! Hope you find more you like on my site. www.christinascucina.com :)
 
Cheryl
Cheryl March 11, 2016
This was really, really good! When I was making it I wondered what possessed me to try it, thinking maybe it would bomb. But I think it's delicious and have gone back for a second helping. I went right to the 'second day' instructions with the bread pieces cooked in with olive oil. Just added a bit more pepper (and a bit more salt). Thoroughly enjoyable and healthy. Thank you!
 
Cheryl
Cheryl March 11, 2016
I should add that I made this with homemade vegetable broth and subbed escarole, since I couldn't find dandelion greens.
 
Christina @.
Christina @. March 12, 2016
Oh I'm so happy you loved it, Cheryl! Thanks for letting me know. I think you'll like it reheated the next day, even more!