My Spin On An Italian Classic

PASTA FAZOOL:

When I first became interested in cooking I was a waiter in Greenwich Village. I often watched the chefs at work and marveled over their expertise. Sometimes while loading up a tray of food I would become fascinated at how the chef swiftly prepared the last plate of the order. Paying close attention to the step by step process and asking a few questions here and there, I was soon copying them at home. If something I made didn't come out right, I returned to the man in the big white hat and sought culinary guidance. One of my first of these daring endeavors was an Italian peasant soup called Pasta Fagioli or "Pasta Fazool" (slang). A simple basic mixture of beans and pasta, the soup is widely recognized because of its mention in the Italian folk song, "That's Amore!"
Because Pasta Fazool is one of those dishes that has many variations, I have prepared it many different ways. The recipe I give you here is the one that I like the most. (Pardon the unconventional measurements).

16 cups of chicken broth
1/2 lb. bacon
2 or 3 handfuls of small pasta (ditalini, small shells,etc.)
3 cans of white beans (cannelini, navy, great northern, drained)
2 cans of red kidney beans or pinto beans (drained)
1/2 golden onion (diced)
4-5 medium size garlic cloves (minced)
A bunch of fresh basil (chopped)
About a qtr cup of Olive Oil
Salt & Pepper
A dash or two of Italian seasonings
Opera (on the stereo)


DIRECTIONS:
Cook pasta in salted water 2 minutes less than pkg directions indicate. Strain. Set aside.
Mix 2 cans of white beans with 2 cans of red beans.
Mash remaining can of white beans into a puree. Add this to chicken broth.
Fry bacon, set aside. Drain grease. In the same pan add olive oil, onions and garlic and saute bean medley adding Italian Seasonings
Add sauteed beans, pasta and crumbled bacon to broth. Bring just to a boil and simmer about five minutes then add basil.
Serve hot with bread or crackers.

Of course you can use dry beans if you want and any medley of bean will work.

Bon Appetite!