Ciao belli! Hello beautiful people!
I hope everyone had a great Father’s Day! June is flying by too quickly but June has a special place in my heart.
This week I’ll be concentrating on my youngest daughter’s birthday. As I touched on previously, Sabrina was our little old age miracle.
I had my two older children by the time I was 20. Getting married at 17 seemed like a good decision at the time but being a mother of two by 20 was not easy.
My first husband was an old fashioned Italian man. He believed that men went to work and women took care of the home and family. I didn’t know any better because my dad was even more old fashioned. At least, my husband was kind, generous and a good provider.
So, I raised my two oldest by myself…. a kid raising kids. By the grace of God, they grew up into two successful and amazing human beings. I could not be more proud of them!
They had just started college when their dad died suddenly. It was a terrible time for all of us but, with the help and support of my family, friends, and God, we made it through.
A few years later, I met Dan. He was a blessing from above for sure! He had never been married but he told me his dream had been to find the right woman and have a little girl. Dan was very active in all types sports and I would have guessed he had wanted a boy but he shared he really always wanted a girl to pamper and spoil.
I told him that my kids were in college and I was done having babies. My GYN had told me there were NO chances of me getting pregnant at my age even if I wanted to. Dan told me that he respected that and his first priority was to find the right soulmate and that I was the one.
We got married in July of 2001. In October of that year, I wasn’t feeling well. We thought it was the flu since it was really bad that year. Dan insisted on taking me to a clinic to get tested.
When the doctor came back with the results, he told us that no, it was not the flu but that I was pregnant! Dan was on cloud nine and both my parents (in their 70s by then and complaining daily of aches and pains) suddenly found their fountain of youth!
My pregnancy went perfectly well despite my age. I only gained 20 lbs and Sabrina was 9 lbs 4 oz of it. She was born naturally and bit the doctor’s finger on the way out. And, when the nurse was cleaning her, she took the washcloth from her hand and threw it across the room.
The entire maternity unit was laughing and warned us to watch out with our little smartie pants!
Sabrina scored a perfect Apgar test and continued to score perfectly on tests throughout her school years. She started reading at 3, was in honor programs, valedictorian of her 8th grade class, valedictorian of her Prep High School, won so many awards that we don’t have enough wall space to display them. Most importantly Sabrina is a kind, respectful and amazing girl.
Unlike my first husband, Dan was fully involved in raising Sabrina. He used to say that this was a chance of a lifetime, his dream come true and he was not going to mess it up.
If I knew then what I know now, that both my husband were going to pass away suddenly and way too young, I still would not change a thing.
Both my husband loved me and their kids very much and have been blessed with 3 outstanding children!
Happy 20th birthday to my little one. May her future be as bright as she is and may her heart continue to grow with love and kindness!
The recipe I present you today is Sabrina’s absolute favorite: my minestrone with farro. The ironic fact is that Sabrina never liked vegetables so I kept coming up with appealing recipes (that included vegetables) in order for her to eat them.
Most recipes failed her harsh no-veggie palate except for my minestrone. And, not only did it pass the test, she requests it as soon as she comes home from college, over and over again!
Hint: my secret to entice her to eat the minestrone the first time was to add diced Parmesan rind. I use Parmesan rinds often. They add a lot of flavor to soups and sauces while becoming a melted cheesy goodness.
I told very young Sabrina that she had to find the little treasures (diced Parmesan rinds) I added to the minestrone. She found them, loved them and ate two bowls of minestrone!
The things we do for love….
Speaking of love, I leave you now with love, hugs, and kisses!
I’ll be waiting for you next week, as always, in my kitchen.
Bacioni (Big Kisses)!
Nonna Antoinette
MINESTRONE WITH FARRO
Ingredients:
3/4 c farro
1 (32 oz) carton chicken broth
1 (12 oz) bag frozen mixed vegetables
4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1/2 medium onion, chopped
1 tbsp tomato paste
1 large or 2 small Parmesan rinds, diced small
Salt and pepper to taste
Grated cheese, optional
Directions:
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Add the rinsed farro.
Cook until al dente (25 to 30 minutes from when it comes to a boil).
While the farro is cooking, add the olive oil and chopped onion to a separate soup pot.
Sauté on medium heat until onion is soft and translucent.
Add tomato paste and stir for a few seconds.
Add frozen vegetables.
Stir for a few more seconds.
Add chicken broth and diced Parmesan rinds.
Bring to a slow boil.
Cover pot and allow the vegetables to cook Al dente.
Be careful NOT to overcook them.
Drain farro, retaining 2 cups of cooking water.
Add the cooked farro and cooking water to the soup pot.
Add salt and pepper to taste.
Continue cooking for a couple more minutes to allow the flavors to come together.
Serve hot, sprinkled with grated cheese and freshly ground pepper.
Tips:
These directions are for regular, dry farro. Please refer to package directions if you’re using partially cooked or pearled farro.
I use organic frozen vegetables when making my minestrone.
You may add 1/2 cup of cooked beans to the veggie mix.
If you do not have and/or cannot find Parmesan rinds, substitute with grated cheese to taste.
I use farro for extra flavor and nutrients but you may substitute the farro with rice or any small pasta.
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