Lentil Soup With Ditalini Aka New Years Soup Recipes

Steps:

• Sautee pancetta (or ham) in olive oil over medium heat for a few minutes till it browns lightly.
• Add onion, celery and carrots, salt and pepper, and sautee till softened. Add garlic. Stir & continue cooking for a minute or two.
• Add lentils, herbs & salt and pepper, stir, and add about 6 cups of water. Bring to a boil and partially cover, then lower heat to the lowest simmer possible. Allow to simmer quietly & peacefully for 40-50 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Meanwhile, in a separate pot, cook ditalini according to box directions until al dente. Drain.
• Add diced tomatoes to soup, stir and continue cooking for about 10 minutes.
• Stir in cooked pasta to soup.
• Ladel soup into bowls, drizzle a little olive oil over the top, sprinkle some fresh cracked black pepper, and parmesean cheese. Eat it up with some crusty bread!

Steps:

• 1) Put oil in a stockpot over medium-high heat. Put in the ham hocks meat side down and cook until brown. Then add all the vegetables, herbs, salt and pepper. Cook for ten minutes.
• 2) Add water to the pot and bring to a boil. Once it starts to boil reduce to a simmer, and cover, then cook for 1 hour.
• 3) After an hour of cooking time add the lentils and cook for another hour.
• 4) While the lentils are cooking, cook the rice according to the package directions and set aside.
• 5) Once the lentils have finished cooking remove and discard the herbs and vegetables.
• 6) Remove the ham hocks and shred all the meat and add to the soup.
• 7) Add the rice and tomato sauce to the soup and cook for five minutes, then shut the heat. You might have to break up some clumps of rice with the back of a spoon, but they will come apart easily.