Bucket List Soup {A Review and Giveaway}

I think if you are a foodie, and more than likely if you are reading this, you are, you probably have a "bucket list" of foods you want to try. I know I do. And they don't have to be anything exotic. I mean, we aren't all Andrew Zimmerman dying to try fermented eggs that have been buried for ions. (Seriously, if you never saw that episode of his show....GROSS!) For most of everyday people, they are probably dishes we have heard about, or seen on television and we say to ourselves "Oh, that looks good. I need to try it." Until last week, one of mine was Pasta e Fagioli, which literally means "pasta and beans." But to be honest I had never found a recipe that spoke to me...but now I have! See, my wonderful foodie friend, and fellow blogger, Carrie has written a lovely cookbook, and was kind enough to share a copy with me. For those of you who don't know her, Carrie's blog, Carrie's Experimental Kitchen is amazing; and now she has an entire cookbook of the same name!

With over 250 pages and categories including: Appetizers, Soups, Salads, Poultry, Beef/Pork, Sides, Pasta, Desserts and more, this book as a little something for everyone. I couldn't wait to start thumbing through it and find one I could test in my own kitchen. Well, I only had to "thumb" to page 49 when one of my bucket lists meals jumped off the page at me. And what really caught my eye was the word "meat"! I had never seen a version of the hearty soup made with it, and well, we are meat people and look for it whenever we can!

This soup is so hearty and warming on a cold winter night. And I love that it's super simple, and easily adaptable too. Don't eat beef? Substitute ground chicken or turkey and stock. Want it completely vegetarian? Omit the meat altogether and use vegetable stock.

We loved every bite and I am so happy to check it off my list! Plus, Carrie has been so kind to offer one lucky EMM fan a free DIGITAL copy of her amazing book. (See below for GIVEAWAY). But if you have a foodie on your shopping list for Christmas, you can get a copy, paperback or digital, on Amazon.

Thank you, Carrie for sharing your delicious food with not only my family, but the world!

• Pasta e Fagioli (With Meat)
• 1 lb. ground beef
• 1 TBS canola oil
• 1/4 c. Spanish onion, chopped
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 c. carrots, thinly sliced
• 2 stalks celery, thinly sliced
• 1 plum tomato, small dice
• 5 c. low-sodium beef broth
• 3 c. water
• 2 TBS Hunts tomato pasta
• 1 tsp. dried oregano
• 1 (15 oz) can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
• 1/4 c. Pecorino Romano cheese, grated (I used Parmesan)
• 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
• 1/4 tsp. pepper
• 1/2 c. ditalini pasta

In a large saucepan, brown the ground beef. Remove from pan and set aside. In the same pan, heat oil and add onion, garlic, carrots, celery and tomatoes. Saute for 5 minutes until the veggies start to soften. Add the ground beef, broth, water, tomato paste, oregano, beans, cheese, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, and then simmer for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add pasta and cook for another 15 minutes.

**GIVEAWAY**

Rules:

This contest open to US residents 18 years or older ONLY.

(1) Winner Will Receive

Contest Ends December 8, 2012

Mandatory Entries:

1. Like Carrie's Experimental Kitchen on Facebook. Leave a comment when you have.

Extra Entries:

1. Like EMM on Facebook. Leave a comment when you have.

2. Visit Carrie's blog Tell me a recipe you would like to try.

3. Follow EMM on Twitter. Leave a comment when you have.

4. Follow Carrie on Twitter. Leave a comment when you have.

5. Follow EMM on Instagram: everydaymomsmeals. Leave a comment when you have.

That is up to 5 entries per person!

Good Luck!!!

Disclaimer: I was provided with a cookbook. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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