Italian Cooked Bread Soup

ingredients

4 oz. pancetta, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 stalk celery, finely chopped
1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley
1 can (28oz/796ml) diced tomatoes
4 cups chicken stock
4 cups lightly packed, thinly sliced fresh greens (spinach, rapini, Swiss Chard)
2 thick slices stale Italian bread, chopped
3 Tbsp. freshly grated pecorino Romano cheese
2 Italian sausages, cooked and sliced (optional)
Extra-virgin olive oil (optional)

method

In a large saucepan, cook pancetta over medium-high heat for about 3 minutes or until beginning to turn golden. (*If the pancetta didn't leave behind enough fat to cook the onion, add 1 Tbsp. olive oil to pan before adding onion) Reduce heat to medium and add garlic, onion,
celery and parsley. Cook for about 5 minutes or until vegetables are softened.

Add tomatoes and stock and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for about 15 minutes. Add greens and bread then simmer, stirring, for about 8 minutes or until greens are tender and bread is soft.

Ladle soup into bowls and sprinkle with cheese. Top with sliced sausages and drizzle with olive oil, if using.