Saffron Rice Minestrone

Here is the recipe to prepare a delicious Saffron Rice Minestrone, a dish that blends the tradition of minestrone with the unique and refined taste of saffron. The recipe I propose has a very marked Italian touch, with the use of fresh vegetables and rice, a much-loved ingredient in Italian cuisine, particularly in Northern Italy where saffron is the key ingredient of the famous Milanese risotto.

Ingredients

• 200 g Carnaroli or Arborio rice
• 1 sachet of powdered saffron or a few threads
• 2 carrots
• 2 celery stalks
• 1 small onion
• 1 zucchini
• 100 g green beans
• 200 g peeled or ripe fresh tomatoes
• 1 liter vegetable broth
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Grated Parmesan for garnish (optional)
• Aromatic herbs such as basil or parsley for garnish (optional)

Preparation

1. Start by cleaning the vegetables. Peel and dice the carrots, onion, and zucchini. Also cut the green beans into pieces and the celery into slices.

2. Heat a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil in a large pot and lightly sauté the onion until it becomes translucent.

3. Add the carrots and celery and continue sautéing for a few minutes. Then add the zucchini and green beans and let them flavor for another 5 minutes.

4. Pour the peeled tomatoes into the pot, crushing them a bit with the wooden spoon. If using fresh tomatoes, you will need to peel and dice them before adding.

5. Add the rice to the pot and stir it with the vegetables to toast it lightly.

6. At this point, add the hot vegetable broth a little at a time, as if preparing a risotto, letting the rice absorb the liquid before adding more.

7. Add the saffron dissolved in a little hot water or broth, stirring well to distribute the color and flavor evenly.

8. Complete the cooking following the times suggested on the rice package, checking often and adding broth if necessary.

9. Once the risotto is cooked, adjust salt and pepper and, if desired, add grated Parmesan.

10. Serve the saffron rice minestrone hot, with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil raw and, if you like, garnish with chopped fresh aromatic herbs.

Trivia

Saffron is a very precious spice, as it is obtained from the flowers of Crocus sativus and requires a very meticulous harvesting and processing process. It is known not only for its distinctive flavor, but also for its coloring properties that give dishes a golden yellow hue. In addition to being used in the famous Milanese risotto, saffron is also used in various other recipes in Mediterranean and international cuisine.