CRAB NOODLE SOUP
In Vietnam and in many Vietnamese restaurants,
this soup is served with the crab ground almost
to a powder or even in patties, but this inviting
recipe allows you to leave it free-floating.
Serves 4 as a complete meal.
8 shallots, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons peanut oil
3 cups of flaked crabmeat
6 tomatoes, chopped
2 tablespoons fish sauce
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 pound rice vermicelli, cooked
1/2 head lettuce, finely shredded (Romaine is
preferable to iceberg)
1 cup mung bean sprouts
2 limes, quartered
Heat a large heavy pan over medium-high heat.
Saute the shallots in the hot oil until soft.
Add the crabmeat, tomatoes, fish sauce, sugar,
and salt. Pour in 5 cups of water. Bring to a
boil, and then simmer for about 30 minutes.
To serve, divide the vermicelli among 4 large
individual bowls. Ladle the soup over the
noodles, and top each serving with a handful of
lettuce and bean sprouts and squeezes of lime juice.
MINESTRONE
People tend to go from one extreme to the other
Minestrone is either something you eat in only
the most authentic Italian restaurant, or it's
some fakey-orange-colored liquid that comes
from a Campbell's soup can. Here is the genuine
item to make in your own kitchen. Serves 6.
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion, peeled and chopped
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 small leek, peeled and sliced
2 carrots, diced
2 stalks celery, sliced
7 and 1/2 cups beef stock
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 14-oz. can of white cannellini beans
3 tomatoes, chopped
2 oz. green beans, cut in 1-inch pieces
2 cups shredded cabbage
1 oz. small soup pasta
sea salt and freshly ground pepper
2 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian parsley
freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Heat the oil in a large, heavy pan. Cook onions,
garlic, and leeks over low heat for 5 minutes.
Stir in the carrots, celery, stock, tomato paste,
and drained beans and bring to a simmer. Cover
and cook 30 minutes. Stir in tomatoes and green
beans and simmer 10 more minutes. Stir in the
cabbage and pasta. Season with salt and pepper.
Cook 10 minutes or until the pasta is done. Stir
in the parsley. Garnish each bowl you serve with
the Parmesan cheese.
