Ingredients
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)
1/3 pound thick-cut speck (smoked pancetta) or butcher thick-cut bacon, diced 1/8-inch
3/4 pound crimini or mixed wild mushrooms (or a mix of wood ear and crimini mushrooms), thinly sliced
1 medium onion, halved across and thinly sliced
4 large cloves garlic, finely chopped or grated
2 small bundles or 1 large bundle (about a pound) lacinato or Tuscan black kale, stemmed and very thinly sliced
Salt and pepper
Freshly grated nutmeg (about 1/4 teaspoon)
1 can cannellini beans
1 quart chicken, beef or mushroom stock
2 cups water
1 cup dried pasta, such as penne rigate, mezze rigatoni or whole wheat short-cut pasta
1 tablespoon aged balsamic vinegar or balsamic drizzle
Pecorino cheese, for grating
Crusty bread, for mopping
Directions
Heat a soup pot over medium to medium-high heat. Add the EVOO, a couple of turns of the pan. Add the speck or bacon and crisp, 2-3 minutes. Add the mushrooms and brown, 6-7 minutes. Add the onion and garlic and cook 5-6 minutes more to soften.
Wilt the greens into the pot and season with a little salt, lots of pepper and some nutmeg. Add the beans, stock and water to the pot and bring up to a boil. Add the pasta, reduce the heat to a low, rolling boil and cook until the pasta is al dente. Check the seasoning, then serve in shallow bowls with some grated Pecorino on top and crusty bread alongside, for mopping.
