Pasta and Bean Soup: Pasta e Fagioli

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons peppercorns black
• 3 cups borlotti beans cooked
• 6  carrots coarsely chopped
• 8 ribs celery coarsely chopped
• 7 pounds chicken wings 
• 2 tablespoons olive oil extra-virgin
• 4 tablespoons olive oil extra-virgin
• 1 medium onion spanish finely chopped
• 2  onions coarsely chopped
• 1 bunch parsley to yield italian finely chopped
• 2 bunches parsley stems 
• 2 cups pasta left over from making tortellini raw
• 2 tablespoons pork fatback softened mashed
• 6 servings salt and pepper 
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste 
• 4 tablespoons tomato paste 

Equipment

• bowl
• frying pan
• sauce pan
• ladle
• pot
• wooden spoon
• dutch oven

Directions

1. In a Dutch oven, heat the pork fat and olive oil over high heat until it is almost smoking.
2. Add the parsley and the onions and cook over high heat, until they are browned and soft, about 8 to10 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste and cook over medium heat 10 minutes.
3. Add the chicken stock and the cooked beans and bring to a boil.
4. Add the pasta pieces and cook 5 or 6 more minutes.
5. Remove from heat and allow to rest 10 minutes. Divide among 6 serving bowls, drizzle with remaining oil and serve.
6. In a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan, heat the oil over high heat until smoking.
7. Add all the chicken parts and brown all over, stirring to avoid burning.
8. Remove the chicken and reserve.
9. Add the carrots, onions, and celery to the pot and cook until soft and browned. Return the chicken to the pot and add 6 quarts of water, the tomato paste, peppercorns, and parsley. Stir with a wooden spoon to dislodge the browned chicken and vegetables bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring almost to a boil, then reduce heat and cook at a low simmer until reduced by half, about 2 hours, occasionally skimming excess fat.
10. Remove from heat, strain, and press on the solids with the bottom of a ladle to extract out all liquids. Stir the stock to facilitate cooling and set aside. Refrigerate stock in small containers for up to a week or freeze for up to a month.