It has been cool and a bit blustery in New Mexico this week – and what better to warm up with than a big pot of soup.
This soup has an Italian twist to it, so I wanted to add just a bit of pasta. Here’s my big confession (followed of course by my justification) – I did not use gluten-free pasta! I fully intended to use gluten-free pasta, because I had no desire to intentionally add wheat to our diet. However, as I was browsing the shelves of Whole Foods for a suitable gluten-free rice-pasta to add to the soup, I suddenly found myself looking at boxes of Jovial einkorn pasta. I squealed and literally jumped up and down with excitement, as James backed away, looking askance at me. I have read about Jovial pasta, but have never seen it in person. It was like finding the holy grail!
Einkorn is the purest, most ancient species of wheat known, grown more than 12,000 years ago before wheat was hybridized by man to increase the gluten content and yield. You can read more about einkorn wheat and the history of wheat here. Since this einkorn pasta is much lower in gluten, I was interested in how my body would react to eating it. I am happy to report that there were no adverse affects. However, I do not have celiac disease, and the makers of this pasta warn that more clinical studies are needed to determine if it is safe for celiac patients to consume einkorn wheat. Jovial also produces gluten-free pastas which are reported to be among the best available in taste and texture, and I am also going to try those pastas.
All that said, the addition of pasta (of any kind) to this soup is optional. The beef and vegetables are quite substantial on their own. Also, since this is soup, the actual quantities of the ingredients are not all that important. Feel free to add a little more or less of anything.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef (grass-fed)
- 1 onion, chopped
- extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 zucchini, cut in half lengthwise and chopped
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 1 cup green beans, snapped into ~1-inch pieces
- ~28 ounces diced tomatoes
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 cup dry pasta (optional)
- kosher or sea salt, freshly ground pepper
- grated Parmesan cheese, for serving (optional)
In a large skillet, heat ~ 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium high heat. Saute the onions until softened, then add the ground beef. Brown the beef, and season lightly with salt and pepper. (If beef is excessively fatty, pour off and discard some of the fat.)
Partially cook the pasta in salted, boiling water. I like to boil it for just a little over half the time recommended on the package. The pasta will finish cooking after you add it to the soup, and will adsorb more of the soup’s flavor.
Heat a large, heavy-bottomed soup pot over medium-high heat; add ~ 2 tablespoons olive oil. Saute the zucchini, carrots, and green beans for 6-8 minutes in the oil until they are starting to get tender. Add the tomatoes and chicken broth, with oregano, thyme, crushed pepper flakes, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, then add the cooked beef and onions, and the cooked pasta. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper, if needed. Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove bay leaf and discard. Serve hot, with Parmesan cheese sprinkled on top.
Two today from the great Aimee Mann. Years ago I worked for a band that opened for Til Tuesday (“Voices Carry”), and was impressed by Mann’s stage presence and artful lyrics. Since those days she’s gone on to be one of our great songwriters. First up is her debut, Whatever
Mann did the soundtrack for “Magnolia”, featuring some of her finest songs, such as “Deathly” and “How Am I Different”. More from that era is collected on her 2000 release, Bachelor No. 2 or, the Last Remains of the Dodo
, by David Pasternack and Ed Levine. This book covers a pretty wide range of seafood and cooking techniques, from preparing soups to grilling, roasting, pan-frying, poaching, and baking everything from ordinary cod to cuttlefish and everything in-between. There are also interesting vegetable pairings, and a section on Italian-style sushi (crudo). What really grabbed my attention, however, was this uniquely-stated recommendation from Anthony Bourdain on the back cover: “If I were strapped in the electric chair and facing a last meal of sea creature, I would pray that Dave would be cooking it.” I hope that Mr. Bourdain meant that Dave really knows how to serve up delicious seafood, and not that Dave’s cooking might assist the efforts of the executioner.
. To my ears it’s the album of the year, 2011. A work concerned with the Tulsa race riot of 1921, this is a moving and rambunctious record, with swagger and imagination in equal measure. Fans of Charlie Mingus to Primus will found common ground here. This is jazz with a pulse!
, which showcases her early singles, including “Roll With Me Henry” and “Good Rockin’ Daddy”. Etta could really sing some R+B!
, featuring James singing some great Billie Holiday songs, such as “Body and Soul” and “Lover Man (Where Can You Be)”. A 
from Television. To my ears, this is the high water mark of American punk. The twin guitars of Tom Verlaine and Richard Lloyd are truly magical, the songs are compelling and deep, and this record sounds as fresh- and as revolutionary as it did all those years ago. A must have.
from Luna. Formed from the ashes of indie favs 
