On Oct 26, 2009, Heidi did her radio show remotely from Joe’s Cafe in Santa Barbara, CA. Recommended by a local business man, Joe’s is one of those home town gems that we love to find so much. The soup special on Monday was the minestrone. Chef Rick Braun was kind enough to provide the recipe.

Ingredients

  • 1 tbs Olive oil
  • 1 diced Onion
  • 1 stalk Celery diced
  • 3 cloves Garlic chopped fine
  • 10 cups Beef Stock
  • 1 Lb diced tomatoes
  • 1/2 Lb Broccoli crowns
  • 1 large carrot diced
  • 1 Bay leaf
  • 1 large Zucchini diced
  • 1/4 head Cabbage shredded
  • 1 bunch Fresh Spinach cleaned
  • 1 16 oz can Kidney Beans drained
  • 2 Cups cooked Macaroni
  • Salt & fresh ground Black Pepper

In a large sauce pan, saute the onion, celery and garlic in the oil until translucent, pour in beef stock, bring to boil, reduce heat immediately to simmer. Add tomato, broccoli, carrot, bay leaf and cook 5 min. Then add zucchini, cabbage, spinach, kidney beans and cooked macaroni. Cook 2-3 min more. Salt and pepper to taste.

 

Joe’s Cafe Santa Barbara, CA

Joe’s opened in 1928. It is the oldest restaurant in Santa Barbara, located in the heart of old town. In the 80 plus years of operation there have been only four different owners. Local families have been dining here generation after generation. Our Master Bar Man, Mr O’Toole, has been serving the double martinis since 1963, several members of the wait staff and kitchen staff have been here for over 20 years. Joe’s has won the award for the stiffest drink in Santa Barbara since the inception of the award. The menu is traditional steaks, local seafood, pastas, salads, daily soups, bread and salsa. Joe’s is a Santa Barbara tradition. Good food, good value, good time.