Artichoke, asparagus, fava bean and pea soup

Recipe for artichoke, asparagus, fava bean and pea soup

Preparation

• - Prepare the artichokes.
  Snap off the stalk close to the base, pulling out any fibres which would extend into the bottom.
  Cut off the pointed top and, using kitchen scissors, trim the leaves to remove spines and any brown edges.
  Cut every artichoke in thin slices lengthways and plunge them in lemon water.
  Your artichokes are ready to be cooked.
  You can find step-by-step simple instructions with a lot of images to clean the artichokes.
• - Prepare the asparagus.
  The bottom stem of the asparagus spread is tough and you have to discard it and use only the upper part.
  Then wash accurately this upper part beneath cold running water.
  Finally slice it.
• - Chop the bacon finely.

Cooking

• - Prepare the vegetable stock (about 1.2 - 1.4 liters/ 5-6 cups).
• - Saute the onion and bacon in the olive oil on very low heat.
  Stir frequently.
• - Then add the veal meat and let all the ingredients flavor for some minutes, stirring.
• - At this point add all the vegetables, stirring frequently for a couple of minutes.
• - Then pour in 1.2 liter of vegetable broth.
• - Keep on cooking, half-covered, stirring now and then, until the vegetables are tender.
• - You need about 45 minutes to cook your soup
  Add other broth if necessary.

Just before serving

• - Season to taste with salt only when the soup is cooked.
• - Your soup with spring vegetables is ready!
• - Serve with toasted bread, cubed.
  Place a little bowl with grated Parmesan on the table.
  Everyone will be able to serve oneself according to your own taste.

Note

Tips

• - You need about 600 g (1.3 pound) of peas in the pod to have 200 g of peas shelled
• - You need about 600 g (1.3 pound) of fava beans in the pod to have the right amount for this recipe
• - Add all the vegetables and pulses only if you think they need the same time to cook. On the contrary add every ingredient according to its own cooking time.
• - Generally we serve this soup with bread made with emmer flour: it tastes fantastic!

Menu planning

• - Serve it as one-plate meal for your family and complete your meal with fresh seasonal fruit.
  Serve the soup in individual bowls, preferably earthenware bowls.
• - If you want to make your friends know this delicious Italian soup yu can prepare this Italian menu: start your meal with assorted bruschetta (Italian antipasto), then serve this Tuscan soup and close the meal with a cake. Carlo and I like strawberries with orange juice very much. We remember you strawberries are in season in spring too.

Healthy eating

• - Look at the nutrition facts. It's a low-calorie recipe but rich in protein.
  Don't exceed the daily protein amount.
  It's enough not to eat other meat, fish and cheese in the other meals.
• - This recipe is also rich in fibers (19 g per head). Remember the daily intake is 23 grams

Loretta

What's the right wine ?

Wine is not recommended for the presence of the artichokes.