Minestra di Funghi

(Mushroom Soup)

Francesca (Gentile) Lia, Sersale, Catanzaro

This is a recipe that was taught and handed down to me by my mother. —Rita

(Yield: 4 servings)

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1 onion (finely sliced)

6½ cups Porcini mushrooms (sliced)

2 cups peeled tomatoes (14 ounce can)

1 green sweet pepper (diced)

4 cups chicken broth (warmed)

teaspoon freshly ground pepper

salt

½ day-old Calabrese loaf (cut into large cubes)

1. Warm oil in saucepan over medium heat and cook onions until translucent.

2.Add mushrooms and cook for another 5 minutes. Add tomatoes and peppers; continue cooking until boiling. Add broth and freshly ground pepper and reduce heat to simmer (add more broth if you like).

3.Cook for another 10 minutes and re-season.

4.Arrange 4 bowls filled with cubed bread and ladle soup into each so bread is covered.

Serve hot.