Recipe: Alphabet Soup

ALPHABET SOUP

8 cups water
5 ripe plum tomatoes, cut into chunks
2 onions, peeled and quartered
2 leeks, bulb part only, cut into quarters
2 large carrots, peeled and cut into chunks
2 potatoes, peeled and quartered
3 ribs celery, cut into chunks
1 large clove garlic, peeled
1 small bunch fresh Italian parsley
4 sprigs fresh thyme
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
4 or 5 whole cloves
1 teaspoon black peppercorns, crushed
1 bay leaf
Fine sea salt (to taste)
1 cup alphabet macaroni

Put all the ingredients except the macaroni in a large stockpot and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, covered for 2 hours.

Place a large colander lined with damp cheesecloth over a large bowl. Strain the broth through the colander, pressing on the vegetables with the back of a wooden spoon the release all the juices. Discard the solids in the colander.

Return the soup to a soup pot and bring to a boil. Add the macaroni and cook until the pasta is al dente.

Ladle the soup into bowls and serve immediately.

Note: Cubes of fresh mozzarella cheese are delicious stirred into the soup just before serving.

Makes about 2 quarts
Source: Mangia Pasta!: Easy-To-make Recipes For Company And Every Day by Mary A. Esposito