Tuscan Bean Soup
Author: 
Recipe type: Entree
Cuisine: Italian
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 8 people
 
A soup so hearty, you won't even think it's super healthy and vegetarian! Recipe adapted from Williams-Sonoma, Essentials of Healthful Cooking.
Ingredients
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 large yellow onion, roughly chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup carrots, peeled and roughly chopped
  • 1 cup celery, sliced
  • ½ head savoy cabbage, about 8 cups
  • 1 small bunch kale, about 4 cups
  • 2 - 14 ounce cans diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 2 - 14 ounce cans cannellini beans or great northern beans, rinsed and drained
  • 3 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 1 bay leaf
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 6 cups chicken or vegetable stock
  • kosher salt
  • freshly ground black pepper
  • crusty bread, cut into thick slices
  • parmigiano-reggiano, grated, for serving (optional)
Instructions
  1. In a large heavy-bottemed pot over medium-high heat, warm the olive oil. Add the onion, garlic, carrots, and celery. Sauté for approximately 5 minutes, or until the onions are translucent.
  2. Add the savoy cabbage and kale, stir until wilted, another 5 minutes.
  3. Stir in the tomatoes and beans. Add the thyme, bay leaf, red pepper flakes, and ½ teaspoon salt.
  4. Pour the chicken stock over the ingredients in the pot and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer for 15 - 20 minutes. Season with additional salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste.
  5. While be soup is simmering, toast the bread slices.
  6. Remove the bay leaves and stems of thyme. Ladle the soup into bowls, sprinkle with grated parmigiano-reggiano, and serve with the toasted bread. Enjoy!
Notes
If you would like to use dried beans - sort through 1 cup of beans and discard any debris or split beans. Soak in 4 cups of cold water for 6 hours. After they have soaked, bring them to a boil in a saucepan. Once they come to boil, turn off the heat and allow them to soak for another 1 - 2 hours.
Nutrition Information
Serving size: 8
Recipe by at https://hapanom.com/tuscan-bean-soup/