The Peruvians took the minestrone recipe, brought with the Italian migrants, and turned into it menestrón. The Peruvian version is heavier on the basil and almost never features tomatoes. It’s also big on the carbs, not only featuring beans (sometimes a few different kinds) but also pasta (often penne). I grew up loving my mum’s and auntie’s, and I crave it when it starts getting chilly in Sydney. I make my version with no beans nor pasta, and often use whatever veggies I have available. This time, for example, I couldn’t find turnip, so used radishes instead.
Menestrón
Ingredients
- 1 onion minced
- 1 garlic clove minced
- 2 tbsp fat of choice (I used ghee)
- 1 kg beef stew meat
- 2 litres beef broth
- 2 medium carrots coarsely chopped
- 1 turnip coarsely chopped
- 1 leek sliced
- 1 celery stick coarsely chopped
- 2 Nicola potatoes cubed
- 1/2 cup green peas
- 1 cup green beans chopped
- 4 tbsp parsley
- 2 tbsp basil
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- Heat fat in a pot on low heat, cook garlic and onion for about 10 minutes, until very soft.
- Add meat, turn heat up and brown. Season with salt and pepper.
- Add carrots, turnip, leek, celery, potatoes and broth. Cook for about 1 hour, until the potatoes are tender.
- Add peas and green beans. Cook for another 15 minutes, turn off heat.
- Blend parsley and basil with a bit of broth, add to the soup, adjust seasoning and serve.
Want more Peruvian recipes? Check out the e-cookbook below!
Peruvian recipes from abroad
This e-book contains my favourite Peruvian recipes developed from the point of view of an expat who learned to find her way with the ingredients that were available in her new home.
This website is for educational and informational purposes only. Click here if you need personalised nutrition advice.