Granny Torrelli Makes Soup

What is your granny like?

Is she tiny and frail? Round and jovial? Does she love to cook or tell stories? Is she a cheek-pincher? Does she have a bunch of cats and knit you horrendous sweaters? Is her hair blue? Does she smell flowery or moth-bally? Does she live around the corner or miles away?

I love grannies of all shapes and sizes (even the mothball variety), and I especially love grannies who cook.

I consider myself very fortunate to have a granny who cooks--and to add to that fortune an Italian granny who cooks. Pizza, spaghetti, lasagna, gnocchi (pretty much anything with a vowel at the end) is made from scratch by my Nonna. And don't even get me started on her cinnamon rolls. Mmmm...Drool...

Tip of the Day: If you don't have an Italian granny you need to go out and get yourself one right now. Trust me, your tummy will thank you.

Zuppa! Granny Torrelli is one of those Italian grannies who cooks. Just like at my Nonna's house, there are copious amounts of soup and pasta cooking going on in Granny Torrelli's kitchen. However, unlike my Nonna, Granny Torrelli serves up a side of advice along with her zuppa. Rosie is the main character of this delicious book and also the granddaughter of Granny Torrelli. Many hours are spent in the kitchen with Granny Torrelli, as Rosie tells of the ups and downs of her relationship with her best friend, Bailey.

The soup is almost done. Granny Torrelli sits down, props her feet up on a
chair. "Come on," she says, "sit yourself down. Put your feet up." She always
does this before we eat. She says people rush too much. She likes to take a few
minutes to smell the food and relax before we go rushing around gobbling it up.
The soup is almost done. Granny Torrelli sits down, props her feet up on a
chair. "Come on," she says, "sit yourself down. Put your feet up." She always
does this before we eat. She says people rush too much. She likes to take a few
minutes to smell the food and relax before we go rushing around gobbling it up.

Rosie and Bailey are neighbors and were born only a week apart. They are like sister and brother, only better "because I chose him and he chose me." In addition, Rosie has always been Bailey's helper as he was born visually impaired. The two have a falling out and Rosie, hurt and confused, turns to Granny Torrelli for advice. Between the combination of Granny's heartfelt stories (which will have you laughing out loud or running for a tissue) and the soothing aroma of the soup, Rosie begins to learn a valuable lesson about love and friendship.

Tutto va bene! All is well when Granny Torrelli makes soup!

Recipe to Read By: Granny Torrelli's Italian Vegetable Soup

I know this is a baking blog, but this book was screaming for a soup recipe. Zupa! Zupa!

Ingredients
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 leeks, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
6 zucchini, thinly sliced crosswise
2 (13 3/4-ounce) cans quartered artichoke hearts packed in water, drained
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
10 cups vegetable broth
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme leaves
4 ounces dried wide egg noodles
Freshly grated Parmesan

Directions
Heat the oil in a heavy large pot over medium heat.

Add the leeks and saute until translucent, about 8 minutes.

Add the garlic and saute until tender, about 2 minutes.

Stir in the zucchini and artichokes.

Season the vegetables with salt and pepper.

Saute until the zucchini are tender, about 10 minutes.

Add the vegetable broth. Stir in the thyme and cook for 2 minutes.

Cover the pot and bring the soup to a simmer.

Decrease the heat to medium-low and simmer gently until the flavors develop, stirring occasionally, about 20 minutes.

Increase the heat to medium-high. Add the noodles and cook until al dente, stirring constantly, about 5 minutes.
Ladle the soup into bowls.

Sprinkle with Parmesan and serve.

Granny Torrelli's Notes: Prop your feet up, inhale the aroma of the food, and relax.

Buon appetito! Mangia tutto!

*Recipe courtesy of Giada De Laurentiis