Healthy Tuscan Bread Soup (Pancotto or Ribollita)
Servings: 6 servings
Calories:
The tangy flavor of sourdough can add a unique twist to both sweet and savory dishes. Many say Pancotto is a southern dish while others attribute its origins to Northern Italy. What is known for sure is that the recipe always calls for two ingredients: stale bread and water. And from there, the variations abound.
Print Recipe
Equipment
- Stock Pot
Ingredients
- 2 cups stale sourdough or country-style bread torn into pieces
- 1 cup onion finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 cups carrots diced
- 2 cups celery stalks diced
- 1 cup potatoes diced
- 1 diced tomatoes 14 oz can
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 bunch of kale or spinach (optional) chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary optional
- Vegan Parmesan cheese for serving
Instructions
- Dry sauté Vegetables in a large pot over medium heat. Add chopped onions, garlic, carrots, and celery. Sauté until the vegetables are softened.
- Cut the stale bread into pieces, place it in the pot, and cover with water or vegetable broth.Cook everything over medium-low heat until the bread forms a cream. If the cooking was long and slow, it shouldn't be necessary.
- Pour in the diced tomatoes, including their juice. Cook for a few minutes until the tomatoes start to break down.
- Add the cannellini beans (optional). Stir well and bring the mixture to a simmer.
- If the soup is too thick, you can add more broth.
- Stir in the chopped kale or spinach (optional). Cook until the greens are wilted.
- Season the soup with salt, pepper, and any desired herbs. Adjust the seasoning according to your taste.
- Let the soup simmer for about 15-20 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld. Stir occasionally.
- Ladle the bread soup into bowls. Top with freshly chopped parsley or other herbs you have on hand.
- Reheat the Next Day: Bread soup often tastes even better the next day after the flavors have had time to meld. Simply reheat it on the stove or in the microwave adding more broth or water to desired consistency.
Notes
Feel free to add other vegetables, beans, or herbs to suit your taste preferences.
