Pasta e Fagioli

Ingredients

• 2
  
  cups cooked cannellini beans
  
• 1
  
  bunch kale, stems removed
  
• 1
  
  large onion, chopped
  
• 5
  
  garlic cloves, minced
  
• 2
  
  tomatoes, chopped
  
• 1
  
  cup peas
  
• 1/2
  
  cup shredded carrots
  
• 1/2
  
  tablespoon dried oregano
  
• 1
  
  teaspoon dried thyme
  
• 1/2
  
  teaspoon dried basil
  
• 1
  
  bay leaf
  
• 1
  
  lemon’s worth of zest
  
• 2
  
  tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  
• 1/4
  
  cup olive oil
  
• 1/2
  
  cup sliced almonds
  
• 1/2
  
  cup sliced green onions
  
• 1/2
  
  cup minced parsley
  
• 8
  
  ounces short pasta
  
• 
  
  sea salt, ground black pepper, crushed red pepper
  

Directions

1. Bring plenty of water to a rolling boil and cook the pasta until it is done. Various shapes and types (whole wheat, semolina, fresh, quinoa, etc) have different cooking times so check your package. Drain when finished.

2. Meanwhile, heat a couple of tablespoons of olive oil in a large pot. Saute the onion until it starts becoming translucent, about ten minutes. Add in the garlic, tomatoes, carrots, kale, oregano, thyme, basil and bay leaf. Cook and stir until the kale begins to wilt and you can smell the fragrant spices and garlic.

3. Mix in the cooked pasta, beans, lemon zest, lemon juice and olive oil. Stir until combined and season liberally with salt, black pepper and crushed red peppers. Garnish each individual serving with almonds, green onions and parsley.