Resolution Kitchen: Pasta Fagioli

ROANOKE – Stick to your healthy eating resolution with this recipe from Beth Richey, a registered dietitian with First We Nourish. Check out her healthy Pasta Fagioli recipe:

Pasta Fagioli
Serves 4-6
 

Ingredients:
- 4 large cloves garlic (3 peeled and left whole, 1 minced and set aside)
- 1 small onion, thinly sliced
- Salt (will use throughout cooking, see instructions)
- 1 cup white beans, dry and soaked overnight*
- Enough water to cover beans by 2 inches
- 1 large sprig fresh rosemary
- 2 sprig fresh thyme
- 1 bunch parsley stems 
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 bulb fresh fennel, thinly sliced
- 1 medium carrot, diced
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 tsp. fennel seed
- ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- ½ cup dry white wine
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 bunch kale, washed and sliced into ribbons
- 1 cup dry ditalini pasta (whole grain if you can find it)
- Extra virgin olive oil, ¼ cup chopped parsley leaves, and grated parmesan for garnish.
Instructions:
1) Heat 1 Tbsp. of olive oil in a large soup pot.
2) Add the onions + 1/8 tsp salt. As they start to brown add 2 garlic cloves. Stir until onions are well caramelized.
3) Add the soaked beans, water, rosemary, thyme, parsley stems, and bay leaf. Simmer (partially covered) until the beans are quite tender (~2 hours). 
4) As the beans near the end of their cooking, saute the fresh fennel with 1/8 tsp salt in a non-stick skillet. Cook until softened and just starting to brown. 
5) Add the carrots, ground turkey, minced garlic, pepper flakes, ¼ tsp salt, and fennel seed. Stir occasionally until the turkey is cooked through. 
6) Deglaze the pan by adding ½ cup white wine, scraping up any brown bits. Add the meat, wine and veggies to the bean pot. 
7) Add the diced tomatoes + 2 cans full of water. Simmer for 10-15 minutes
8) Add the kale, 1/8 tsp salt, and pasta. Simmer until the pasta is al dente. 
9) Fresh ground pepper to taste.
10) Serve hot with a sprinkle of fresh parsley, parmesan cheese, and ½-1 tsp extra virgin olive oil. 
*You can use canned white beans as well. Drain, rinse and simmer with aromatics as instructed. The simmering time will be cut down to ~30-45 minutes.