Thursday, July 24, 2008

Shimeji and Pasta Soup

Katie from Thyme for Cooking is this week's host of Presto Pasta Night and I've found another different looking pasta with a brilliant name - Seme di Melone

Seme di Melone© by Haalo


So what does the name mean? It's obvious when you look at the pasta - it means Melon Seeds. A pasta such as this one calls out to be added to soup.

Using a flavoursome chicken stock as a base, I'll be adding onion, peas and these wonderful fresh shimeji mushrooms

shimeji mushrooms© by Haalo


A simple soup but one to nourish the soul.

Shimeji and Pasta Soup©


Shimeji and Pasta Soup

1 red onion, diced
150 grams shimeji mushrooms
½ cup peas, frozen or fresh
¼ cup Seme di Melone
chicken stock
salt and ground white pepper

Place a little oil in a pan and when heated, add the onion - cook over a medium-low heat until the onion has started to soften.

Add the shimeji and stir - toss occasionally to ensure an even colouring. When the mushrooms have wilted and started to release their aroma, add the peas.

Cook for a minute then add the pasta - toss again to ensure the seeds are coated in the pan juices before pouring over with hot chicken stock.

Simmer for about 5 minutes and then remove from the heat. Place a lid on the pan and allow the pasta to finish cooking in the residual heat. I find that this way the pasta swells and absorbs all the flavours without becoming mushy.

Taste, season with salt and pepper and return to the heat to bring it back up to temperature.

Shimeji and Pasta Soup© by haalo

12 comments

  1. Ah! This sounds so satisfying.

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  2. This soup sounds delicious and so do the pictures. It must be so light and fresh tasting.

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  3. Just lovely. I've never seen melon-seed pasta before: they are quite beautiful. And you've found, it seems, the perfect use for them. Great job!

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  4. You always find such interesting pasta! And what a lovely soup... It would be perfect on this rainy afternoon I'm enjoying!

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  5. That just looks so good...

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  6. Thanks Cmoore - it was very satisfying!

    Thanks Alexa!

    Thanks JS - it's the first time I've seem them and naturally just had to have them!

    Thanks Katie - a lovely bit of comfort on a rainy day!

    Thanks Maven!

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  7. AnonymousJuly 29, 2008

    this soup looks so delicious! where can you find melon seed pasta? would you have to go to a specialty store?

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  8. AnonymousJuly 29, 2008

    I've never heard of Seme di Melone
    but I will look out for it. It really did cry out to be added to soup! I bet this was so satisfying and nourishing. i love shimeji mushrooms and I agree, they look very fresh.

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  9. Hi Kay - I can only tell you where I found them - Monaco's in 255 Camberwell Road, Camberwell. If you don't live anywhere near there, then google might be your best chance of finding them. These were the Divella brand.

    Thanks Helen - hope you find some!

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  10. I lıke how you described this, "A simple soup but one to nourish the soul."

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  11. This soup looks really good!

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