Thursday, March 8, 2012

Spinach, Tomato, and Tortellini Soup -- and Rome.



When I'm traveling, not many desserts get made, since desserts usually require ingredients and tools beyond the scope of the rental flats that I've been living out of for the past few weeks. --Plus, given how much gelato I've been eating, I really don't feel the need to add more sugar and cream to my diet! On the other hand, though, I do get the opportunity to do a fair amount of normal cooking. Since the pace of life is so much more leisurely, I actually find myself not rushing to scrape a meal together (or worse yet, heating up something from the Trader Joe's freezer section while feeling sheepishly guilty that I'm taking the time to eat and not work, as I normally do while at home), and I have the time to spend in the kitchen, stirring together an easy but delicious and piping hot pot of soup from fresh market ingredients, like this spinach, tomato, and tortellini soup I made while in Rome.

[click on photo for a larger image]

The soup was perfectly tomato-y and brothy for the sunny but cold, wool-scarf-needed, wintery days when I was there, and I slurped it happily while sitting by a third-story window overlooking the winding, narrow Trastevere alleyways below and reading a good book (this and this were amongst my favorites that I read on this trip). Ah, the slow life.


Thank you so, so much to those of you who wrote in with wonderful suggestions for my Italy trip! I just got back a few nights ago, so I'm still in the post-trip whirlwind of sorting through photos and catching up with all of the life and work that I've missed for the past few months of traveling. Much more to come in the next few weeks on the blog, as well as getting back to regular dessert posts!


Read on for recipe....


Spinach, Tomato, and Tortellini Soup
makes enough for 4

4 small cioppino onions, chopped
5 cloves of garlic, smashed
6 ripe medium-sized tomatoes, chopped
10 - 12 cups chicken stock
1 package of ricotta and spinach tortellini
6 cups fresh spinach leaves
olive oil
salt
crusty bread

1. In a pot, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat.
2. Add the chopped onions and a very small sprinkling of salt. Saute the onions. When they begin to turn translucent, add the garlic and cook until the onions are very soft, almost caramelizing.
3. Add the tomatoes and cook for a minute or two, until the tomatoes are soft and release their juices.
4. Add the chicken stock. If the broth is too thick, adjust with hot water. Increase the heat and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 - 15 minutes. Season with salt, if necessary.
5. Increase the heat and return the soup to a boil. Add the tortellini and cook for as long as directed on the package, until the tortellini are al dente.
6. Turn off the heat and add the spinach, stirring until the spinach is cooked but still vibrant green. Serve hot immediately, with crusty bread.

Note: ingredient amounts for savory recipes like this one on this blog are approximate. Please use your judgement and tastes regarding salt and flavoring amounts.



Enjoy!

35 comments:

  1. Wow. Your photos of Italy are stunning and that recipe has my tummy growling even though I just ate lunch! 

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  2. oh I'm so jealous you are in Rome!  I used to live there and I miss it so much!  Haven't been back since 2006!! :(  But your photos were spectacularly lovely and that soup looks divine!  Pinning it now to make for the future!

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  3. lovely!! love it all, so jealous of your travels. LOVE that B&W center.. you know me :) 

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  4. holy shit. the black and white photo near the front is my favorite. amazing. 

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  5. BEAUTIFUL pictures.  *sigh* These make me want to go back to Italy SO badly...

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  6. These photos are stunning, and that soup looks delicious. Thank you for sharing!

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  7. Oh My Dear!
    I've been in Rome two weeks ago and I've still got this pictures in front of my eyes..
    I feel in love with Rome, generally Italy. And I dot'n know what to say more..
    I've got almost tears in my eyes. I can't believe I was there, I saw that..

    ......
    :)

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  8. Beautiful photos! Italy looks gorgeous. That soup looks delicious too!

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  9. Katrina @ Warm Vanilla SugarMarch 8, 2012 at 12:46 PM

    This is such a lovely soup! Can't wait to throw this on the table!

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  10. The photos are so evocative and take me back to the time I spent in Roma last year.Lovely

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  11. Ahhh, I want to travel more! There is a grace period after traveling when it feels good to be home, relaxing, and getting back to a routine, but the bug comes back so soon after!

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  12. OH MY GOODNESS your photography is so fantastic!! I went to Rome last year and your pictures capture a great side of the city! I especially loooove the tomatoes!! Holy cow, you make them look so perfectly delicious!!

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  13. My German Kitchen in the RockiMarch 8, 2012 at 6:24 PM

    Thanks for sharing your gorgeous pictures!  The picture with the soup bowl on the chair is somehow very touching.
     Great recipe. Thanks.

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  14. Oh I want to go back there,I forgot how beautiful the whole country was.
    I am glad you are back. The soup is what you need after a long flight and a jetlag :) 

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  15. what a beatiful point of view!!!

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  16. Your photos just transported me to Italy for a moment...Rome is so beautiful. Makes me want to go back right now :-)

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  17. The meal looks great, but your photography is JUST STUNNING, well done! 

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  18. Beautiful pictures. The soup looks divine. 

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  19. Mmm, your pictures are so beautiful! 
    makes me excited for my trip to spain on monday.

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  20. I just discovered you, and I love everything I've seen thus far - your photos are amazing, and the recipes looks phenomenal.  Definitely adding you to my google reader feed.  Keep up the great work!

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  21. I want to take a flight right away! Can't wait for other posts too

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  22. I can't seem to find the 100% reliable answer anywhere, and it is very important for me :)). Could you tell what camera do you use? I found out that you shoot with Nikon 5100 with 24-70 mm Sigma is that still true? I would really appreciate a reply as I'm a Nikon user, but I was recently thinking about switching to Canon because I was dissapointed with the cameras I've used by Nikon. Is yours good? Are you happy with it? Your photos are just remarkable! : ))

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  23. Hi Patricia,  Not sure where you heard that, but I actually shoot with a Nikon D90 + a Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8 lens, usually (sometimes the 50mm, or another lens). I love my Nikon equipment and the other Nikons that I've been able to use (D7000, for instance), but I think you can make amazing images with both Nikon and Canon--or any other camera, for that instance. I'd be happy to chat about the differences more via email, if you'd like: s {at} dessertsforbreakfast {dot} com.

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  24. Great photos! I especially love the soup on chair by window! 

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  25. If I didn't comment, I totally meant to. This soup this so good. I want tomatoes to be in season! 

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  26. Hi Stephanie.

    I just joined your blog today.  Your pictures are beautiful and your food/recipes are amazing!  I'm very much looking forward to reading your posts.  Thank you for sharing!!

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  27. Amelia from z tasty lifeMarch 13, 2012 at 10:04 AM

    I can recognize many of those angles and allies... such wonderful photos, bringing back memories from my "home"!

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  28. I have a special place in my heart for Rome. It's where I got engaged. I adore that city and seeing your images nudged me even further into my need to return. Beautiful.

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  29. Breathtaking. Can only imagine how beautiful Italy is in person. But at least for now I can imagine and see it through your eyes. The B&W image is spot on.

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  30. absolutely adore your travel photos, makes me excited as i'm going to rome this year! hope to see the beauty as you did.

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  31. Sara @OnetribegourmetMarch 14, 2012 at 8:59 PM

    Roma is just magical! aah I'm dreaming...beautiful photos!

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  32. GORGEOUS! That sunset is STUNNING and the soup looks amazing. Such a beautiful set of pictures.

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I love hearing from you and reading your comments! Thanks so much for stopping by the blog. Happy feasting!