Minestrone Verde with Chilli Pesto Scones is a light yet warming soup that will hit the spot on a cold wintry night. Serve the green minestrone soup with chilli scones and top with fresh basil pesto.
Minestrone Verde with Chilli Pesto Scones Recipe
Serves 6-8
Chilli Pesto Scones
2½ cups self raising flour
50g chilled butter, cut into cubes
¾ cup buttermilk, plus extra
for brushing
1 medium red chilli, seeds removed, finely chopped
⅓ cup fresh basil pesto, plus extra for serving
Minestrone Verde
1 tbsp olive oil
2 chorizo sausages, chopped
1 onion, finely chopped
1 leek, halved lengthways and sliced
2 cloves garlic, crushed
3 tsp fennel seeds
2 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
2 stalks celery, chopped
¾ cup white wine
4 litres chicken stock
1 bunch broccolini, chopped
100g brussels sprouts, cut into quarters
400g cooked cannelleni beans, drained and rinsed
2 cups kale leaves, shredded
Method:
To make scones, preheat oven to 200˚C. Line tray with baking paper. Sift flour into a bowl. Season to taste. With fingertips, rub in butter to form fine crumbs. Make a well in centre and add buttermilk, chilli and pesto.
Use a table knife to stir into a soft, sticky dough, then knead into a smooth ball on a lightly floured surface. Press out to 3cm thick circle. Cut in quarters. Slice each quarter in half to makes 8 triangles and arrange on tray.
Brush with extra buttermilk. Sprinkle with sea salt flakes. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden.
To make minestrone, heat oil in a stockpot. Add chorizo. Cook, stirring for 2 minutes. Add onion, leek, garlic, fennel, thyme and celery. Cook, stirring, for 5 minutes.
Add wine and reduce by half. Add stock, then bring to the boil. Reduce to simmer for 10 minutes. Add broccolini, sprouts and beans. Simmer for 5 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Stir in kale.
Serve warm with scones and top with extra pesto.
Smart Tip:
To make a vegetarian version of this minestrone just leave out the chorizo and use vegetable stock.
