Nonna’s Spezzatino with Ginseng

Nothing like a bowl of stew to warm you up on a chilly winter’s day, or as we call it, Nonna’s Spezzatino! This hardy dish is sure to fill your belly, and makes everyone jump for seconds. The delicious flavours melt in your mouth and warm your soul. My children can’t get enough of this. The fact that it’s loaded with vegetables makes this mama extra happy.

I added my own immune boosting twist on this old family recipe by adding in Nutridom’s Ginseng Plus. Ginseng helps decrease infectious diseases such as colds, something we all want to avoid these days! Nutridom’s Ginseng Plus contains Korean Ginseng, American Ginseng, Vitamin C, Zinc and Maitake Mushrooms. These ingredients give your immune system that extra boost we all appreciate. I assure you, this recipe tastes as delicious as it looks.

I am not a professional chef or cooking expert. Simply a mom who loves to cook for her family. We consume a ton of fresh vegetables in this household, usually cooking recipes from scratch with whole ingredients. I may not share our meals often on my page, but thought this family staple was a good one.

Cooking family recipes reminds me of all the wonderful moments with my mother and Nonna. From being a kid and cooking homemade pasta to sharing laughs and smiles on my wedding day. Family recipes brings back all these memories which I cherish every day.

Ingredients:

• Nutridom’s Ginseng Plus

• Olive Oil

• 4 Carrots, Pealed & Chopped

• 5 Celery Sticks, Pealed & Chopped

• 1 Chopped White Onion

• 2 Potato’s, Pealed & Chopped

• 1 Cup Diced Pancetta or Bacon

• 4 Cloves of Garlic (this mama loves her garlic, sometimes I add in extra!)

• 2 Boxes of Low-Sodium Chicken Stock

• 1 Leek (white and light green part chopped)

• 1 Can of Cannellini Beans, Rinsed

• 1 Chopped Tomato (or a small can of diced tomatoes)

• A Handful of Fresh Basil & Thyme, Chopped

• 1 Bay Leaf

• 2 Large Chicken Breasts on Bones

• Salt, Pepper, Italian Seasoning to Taste

Instructions:

In a large saucepan, heat olive oil on medium heat and cook the chopped pancetta or bacon. Once crispy, set aside on a paper towel. Using the same pan, add in the onion and garlic first stirring for approx 2 minutes. Once the onion is transparent, add in the carrots, celery, salt and pepper. Cook for another 5-7 minutes.

Stir in the two boxes of chicken stock, potatoes, leeks, tomatoes, basil, bay leaf, thyme & Italian seasoning. Then add in a few drops of Nutridom’s Ginseng Plus. Once your stew is at a simmer, drop in your chicken pushing it towards the bottom of the pot. Cook for 25 minutes flipping the chicken once halfway through. Add in the beans and cook for another 15 minutes.

Remove the chicken from the stew and discard the bones. Chop the chicken and place it back into the stew, cooking for another 5 minutes.

Taste the stew! I may add an additional pinch of salt, pepper and ginseng at this stage.

Add back in the pancetta or bacon and you are ready to serve. Simply scoop into bowls and enjoy with a fine glass of red wine or milk for the kids!

Cheers, or as Nonna says, Buon Appetito!