Minestra Of Spring Greens And Herbs With (Optional) Truffled Polenta Croutons

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   ["Line a 12"" x 12"" baking sheet or other plate that's at least 1/2"" deep with parchment. Bring 3 1/4 cups of water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Whisk in cornmeal while pouring in a slow steady stream. Whisk in salt. Reduce heat to low and cook 25 minutes, stirring fairly frequently to prevent sticking. Polenta should be thick but pourable so you may need more boiling water during the cooking time. Add the cheese and truffle oil, taste for salt and then pour onto the baking sheet. Spread evenly. Cool until completely set, a day in advance is good.", "While the soup is cooking, cut the polenta into squares, as many as you like. In a skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the squares and brown both sides in the butter. Remove to a plate and reserve.", "In a 5-7 quart stockpot, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the leeks, onion/scallion, garlic and fennel. Stir to combine, add a pinch of salt, stir again, then reduce heat and partially cover pot. After 5-7 minutes, uncover, stir, add the serrano pepper and chard stems. Cook 5 minutes on low, then add the bean broth, chicken or vegetable broth increase heat to medium and bring to a boil. Stir in cilantro and parsley, reduce heat to low, cover and simmer 15 minutes. Add the cooked beans, cover and simmer 5 minutes. Uncover and add the ribbons of chard or other greens. Simmer uncovered for 10 minutes or longer, until the chard is tender and almost silky. Taste for salt and pepper.", "Thinly julienne the preserved lemon rind and mix with some extra virgin olive oil and a 1/2 teaspoon each of finely minced parsley and cilantro leaves. The soft rind kind of melts and makes a ""pesto-like"" mixture with distinct pieces of lemon rind.", "To serve, ladle the soup into shallow bowls, add some of the truffled polenta croutons (or not), and place a dollop of the lemon garnish in the middle of each bowl.", "Note: Since this isn't a ""bean"" soup, I didn't feel it necessary to include a recipe for that process. I did cook the beans with a strip of kombu which I think contributes mightily to a good bean broth as well as half a small onion, a bit of carrot, celery leaves and parsley stems. I added salt to the beans and broth about 15 minutes before they were finished cooking and then I let them sit an additional 1/2 hour uncovered off the heat before draining them."]

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