Main Dishes Soups

Chicken Minestrone Soup, Pinot Grigio, and Anxious People

April 9, 2025
editor
Pair the hearty and nourishing Chicken Minestrone Soup with the insightful and thought-provoking novel 'Anxious People' by Fredrik Backman, along with a crisp glass of Pinot Grigio. This combination works harmoniously as the soup's comforting flavors and textures are perfectly matched by the book's exploration of human connection and the wine's refreshing character, enhancing your dining and reading experience.
Chicken Minestrone Soup

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 large onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 carrots, diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 1 zucchini, diced
  • 1 yellow squash, diced
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes
  • 6 cups chicken broth
  • 1 (15-ounce) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup green beans, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 cup small pasta (such as ditalini or elbow macaroni)
  • 2 cups fresh spinach or kale, chopped
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (for garnish)
  • Fresh basil or parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  • Cook the chicken: In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the pot and set aside.
  • Sauté the vegetables: In the same pot, add the chopped onion and sauté for about 5 minutes until it becomes translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  • Add the vegetables: Stir in the diced carrots, celery, zucchini, yellow squash, and red bell pepper. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to soften.
  • Add tomatoes and broth: Pour in the diced tomatoes with their juice and the chicken broth. Stir in the cannellini beans, green beans, dried oregano, dried basil, dried thyme, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 20 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
  • Cook the pasta: While the soup is simmering, cook the pasta separately according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  • Combine the ingredients: Return the cooked chicken to the pot. Stir in the chopped spinach or kale and the cooked pasta. Let the soup simmer for another 5 minutes until the greens are wilted and the pasta is heated through.
  • Serve: Ladle the Chicken Minestrone Soup into bowls and garnish with grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh basil or parsley.

Anxious People

Anxious People

Anxious People is a charming, poignant, and laugh-out-loud novel that captures the anxiousness and joy of life, focusing on a failed bank robbery that turns into a hostage drama, revealing what really matters in life. Through various characters' perspectives, it shows how closely our lives can intersect without noticing.
A bank robber chased by the police ran into a company that had many customers coming to buy and sell houses. All customers have become hostages. Before the death, the hostages told each other about their lives. They wait to be rescued

Discussion Questions

  • What are some of the main themes in 'Anxious People', and how are they developed through the story?
  • Discuss the character development of the bank robber and hostages. How do their interactions reflect real-world anxieties?
  • How does Fredrik Backman use humor to address serious topics in the book?
  • In what ways does 'Anxious People' challenge your perception of empathy and understanding of others?
  • What role does the setting play in shaping the events and mood of the story?
  • How does the novel approach the concept of family and community?
  • What are your thoughts on the ending of the book? Was it satisfying?
  • How does Backman's writing style contribute to the book's overall tone and impact?
  • Which character did you find most relatable and why?
  • How does this book compare to other works by Fredrik Backman in terms of style and theme?
Authors: Fredrik Backman
ISBN: 1501160834
Publisher: Michael Joseph
Published Date: 2021

Pinot Grigio

Pinot Grigio
This light and crisp white wine offers notes of pear, green apple, and lemon zest, making it a perfect complement to hearty soups. Its refreshing acidity balances the rich flavors of Chicken Minestrone Soup while cleansing the palate.

Ingredients

  • 750 mL bottle of Pinot Grigio

Instructions

  • Chill the bottle of Pinot Grigio for at least an hour in the refrigerator.
  • Pour into wine glasses, letting the wine breathe for a couple of minutes before serving.