The Cowgirl's Minestrone

Ingredients

4 c. chicken stock

2 c. beef stock

2 garlic cloves

1/2 lb. small rigatoni

Extra virgin olive oil

1 tbsp. dried oregano

1 tbsp. dried thyme

1 tsp. dried sage

1 lb. Italian beef sausage (recipe to right)

2 medium carrots, roughly chopped

2 celery ribs, roughly chopped

1 onion, roughly chopped

1 28-oz. can of diced tomatoes

1 14-oz. can of cannellini beans, drained and rinsed

Coarsely ground black pepper

1 c. freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano

Italian Beef Sausage

1 lb. ground beef

2 tsp. dried thyme

2 tsp. dried oregano

1/4 tsp. garlic powder

1/4 tsp. onion powder

1/2 tsp. kosher salt

1/4 tsp. black pepper

1/8 tsp. crushed red pepper

Instructions

1. To make Italian beef sausage, combine all spices in a bowl with ground beef and mix to combine.

2. Coat the bottom of a heavy stock pot with four turns of olive oil. Add the sage, rosemary, and thyme, and warm the oil over medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes to infuse it with the flavor of the herbs.

3. Add the sausage, breaking up the sausage with the side of a big spoon, and cook until well browned.

4. Add the carrots, onion, and celery to the saucepan and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, until the vegetables are softened but not browned.

5. Stir in the diced tomatoes, cannellini beans, and stock into the pan with the sausage. Bring to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

6. Cook the rigatoni in boiling water for 6 minutes; it should be slightly underdone. Drain and stir into the simmering soup. Salt and pepper the soup to taste.

7. Serve the soup with a healthy topping of Parmigiano-Reggiano!

Thank you to Arturo and Wrenn Pacheco for sharing your recipe and pictures. Arturo and Wrenn are custom grazers located in the Flint Hills of Kansas. Their grazing operation consists of grazing double stock steers and custom heifer development for their clients. Arturo has his PhD in ruminant nutrition and owns and operates his own nutrition consulting business, Pacheco Cattle Services. Wrenn is a professional photographer and operates Wrenn Bird Photography. Together they have two little cowboys, Leo and Ross. You can find more of their recipes at cookingwiththecowboy.com.

September

4th Nebraska Ranch Practicum, Whitman, N E, Dr. Tom presenting

12th Kansas Animal Health Board Meeting, Hutchinson, KS, Dr. Wade attending

24th South Dakota State University Extension

Cattle Handling Workshop, Watertown, SD, Dr. Tom presenting

25th South Dakota State University Extension

Cattle Handling Workshop, Chamberlain, SD, Dr. Tom presenting

26th South Dakota State University Extension

Cattle Handling Workshop, Wall, SD, Dr. Tom presenting

27th South Dakota State University Extension

Cattle Handling Workshop, Bison, SD, Dr. Tom presenting

October

3rd - 4th Executive Veterinary Program in Swine Health Management, Champaign, IL, Dr. Tom presenting

18th McCownGordon Construction Leadership Retreat, Elmdale, KS, Dr. Nels presenting

26th KCA Convention and Trade Show, Newton, KS, Dr. Tom presenting

November

9th Kansas Veterinary Convention , Manhattan, KS , Dr. Tom presenting