Jamie Oliver's Spring Minestrone

4 servings

60 minutes

Jamie Oliver's spring minestrone is a fresh and light soup filled with the aroma of young green peas, tender asparagus, and the rich flavor of white beans. Inspired by traditional Yugoslav cuisine, this dish combines simple yet harmonious ingredients to create a sense of spring awakening. Parmesan adds a rich creamy note to the minestrone, while basil and parsley bring freshness. This soup is perfect for a light lunch or cozy dinner, especially when paired with crispy garlic bread. It embodies the joy of warm days when nature blooms and flavors become vibrant.

Energy value per serving

• Calories: 457.7
• Proteins: 22g
• Fats: 27.7g
• Carbohydrates: 36.4g

Ingredients

• Onion: 1 head
• Garlic: 3 clove
• Celery: 4 stem
• Potato: 1 pc
• Green asparagus: 400 g
• Parmesan cheese: 120 g
• Green beans: 300 g
• Canned white beans: 1 g
• Vegetable broth: 1.5 l
• Frozen green peas: 300 g
• Crushed basil leaves: 2 tbsp
• Chopped parsley: 2 tbsp
• Green basil: 2 stem
• Salt: to taste
• Ground black pepper: to taste
• Extra virgin olive oil: 4 tbsp

Cooking steps

1. Drain the liquid from the can of white beans (or if using canned green beans - use those).

   Required ingredients:

   • Canned white beans: 1 g

2. Remove the thick, tough ends of the asparagus and cut into pieces about 1 cm long.

   Required ingredients:

   • Green asparagus: 400 g

3. Cut the potatoes into small cubes; if the potato is small, take 2 instead of 1.

   Required ingredients:

   • Potato: 1 piece

4. Grate the Parmesan cheese.

   Required ingredients:

   • Parmesan cheese: 120 g

5. Heat 4 tablespoons of olive oil in a pan over medium heat.

   Required ingredients:

   • Extra virgin olive oil: 4 tablespoons

6. Similarly, cut the fresh green beans. If you are using thin Kenyan beans, just trim the ends; for large seasonal beans, they need to be cleaned properly (see the video lesson on this topic).

   Required ingredients:

   • Green beans: 300 g

7. Add finely chopped onion, garlic, and celery cut into 0.5 cm thick pieces, and sauté for about 10 minutes until soft.

   Required ingredients:

   • Onion: 1 head
   • Garlic: 3 cloves
   • Celery: 4 stems

8. Add diced potatoes, 2/3 of the asparagus, green beans, and grated Parmesan, and simmer for about 5 minutes.

   Required ingredients:

   • Potato: 1 piece
   • Green asparagus: 400 g
   • Green beans: 300 g
   • Parmesan cheese: 120 g

9. Add broth and white beans, bring to a boil, and cook for about 20 minutes until the vegetables start to soften.

   Required ingredients:

   • Vegetable broth: 1.5 l
   • Canned white beans: 1 g

10. Add the remaining asparagus and frozen peas (without thawing) and cook for about 6-8 minutes.

    Required ingredients:

    • Green asparagus: 400 g
    • Frozen green peas: 300 g

11. Remove from heat and add finely chopped parsley and basil.

    Required ingredients:

    • Chopped parsley: 2 tablespoons
    • Crushed basil leaves: 2 tablespoons

12. Let it steep for about 10 minutes.

13. Garnish with basil leaves and sprinkle with parmesan.

    Required ingredients:

    • Green basil: 2 stems
    • Parmesan cheese: 120 g

14. Serve with garlic bread or garlic toasts.

    Required ingredients:

    • Garlic: 3 cloves