Bread Soup

What do you do with a wonderful loaf of "day old" french bread? Bread soup and some bread pudding for a neighbor!

Again this show how preserving fresh produce can lend some great flavors in winter. When I first had this soup it was made with water, stale bread, onion, garlic, s/p and escarole. Can not get simpler then that. You will see that mine has more then that, but still very simple. When escarole (actually, any green) is in season I make it the simpler way, savoring the way those few things make me happy and noting that when I "put-up" whatever the growing season allows, I will in the winter be able to treat  myself to this fancier version.

1/2 c Sweetgrass Bacon ends
2 c leeks, chopped (again I froze lots from The Farm B/B last summer)
1 garlic clove, minced (I stored several strands from the Farm and Russia Corners)
1 summer squash (or zucchini), sliced (yup, you guessed I sliced or chopped several from last summer)
1 c chopped Swiss chard (or green of choice) if you are using fresh, blanch and chop*
1 pkg Winter Sun Green beans
1 qt whole tomatoes (those lovely jewels that we got from Old Path, Gaia's Breath and the Farm last summer)
2 c water
s/p
1 tsp of dried thyme
3/4 tsp dried marjoram
1/2 loaf of "day old" french bread

optional: serve with a grating of Dutch Girl Winter 09 goat cheese

Cube the bread into about 1" pieces and let them get good and stale. (I cubed mine the night before and left them on the counter).

In a stockpot over med/high heat render off the bacon ends. Stirring to prevent burning. Once the pieces are crisped, remove them to a platter (chef snack or you can chop them and add them in later).

Add the leeks, garlic, thyme and marjoram to the bacon fat. Saute, scraping up the bacon bits. Reduce the heat slightly and let them go until they are soft and lightly golden, about 15 minutes.

Add the squash, Swiss chard, beans, tomatoes and water. Season with salt and pepper (I like lots of black pepper). Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer, cover ajar and cook for about 30 minutes.

Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Add in bread cubes, stir to combine. Cover and remove from heat. Let stand for about 15 minutes.

*to remove some bitterness of greens blanch in boiling water for about 60 secs, then place in a ice bath, drain and squeeze excess water. Chop. easy peasy.