Garlic, Pasta, and Ham Soup

This is an excellent soup for a cold winter day.



Ingredients:

• Garlic cloves from 3 garlic bulbs, unpeeled
• 4 cups of water
• 3 or 4 sprigs of oregano
• 1 Bay leaf
• Rind from Parmigiano Reggiano (optional)
• 4 oz ham, small dice
• 4 oz small pasta shells
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

• Bring garlic cloves, bay leaf, oregano and the Parmigiano Reggiano rind to a boil.
• Lower to a simmer for about half an hour or until garlic is soft.
• Drain the broth through a colander into a large bowl and pour the broth and the Parmigiano back into the cooking pot.
• Run the garlic cloves under cold water until cool and then squeeze the garlic out of the peel into a blender.
• Blend with some of the reserved broth to form a milky liquid.
• Pour the garlic liquid into the broth.

• Add the ham.

• Bring to a boil and then lower to a simmer adding the pasta cooking until al dente.
• Add salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.

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