Recipe Redux: Tuscan White Bean Soup
Welcome to the holiday party circuit. My name is Carlene and I'll be your guide today, so put on your most festive, headache inducing, ugly sweaters and let's get the show on the road. To your left, you'll see a gaggle of holiday dieters. Notice the annoyed expressions on their faces as you enter the soirée with a creamy herbed soup.
But wait! As creamy as this Tuscan White Bean soup appears, there is no butter, no heavy cream, and as a side note, NO reason to diet (ever).
This month, the Recipe Redux theme is "Putting the P(ea) in Potluck" , where we aimed for a recipe to feed a crowd using beans, peas, or lentils in a festive dish. Perfect timing, considering I needed a dish to bring to our internship last day of clinical celebration! The husband first whipped up this soup for me during the 'wooing' stage of our relationship. I guess you could say it worked, considering we tied the knot.
Tuscan White Bean Soup
- 1.5 T olive oil
- 1 chopped onion (any variety)
- 4 cloves garlic
- 16 oz can of white beans (add more if you want!)
- Rosemary sprigs (for garnishing and taste) -rosemary
- 3-4 C chicken stock OR bouillon w/ 3-4 C water
- 5 yellow potatoes, cubed
- salt & pepper to taste
Directions
- Heat olive oil in a large soup pot on medium heat. Add chopped onions and let those suckers sweat until translucent (3-5 mins). Add minced garlic and prepare for aromatic glory.
- Add beans, rosemary, and potatoes to pot. Cook on medium for two minutes and add liquid. Cover the pot, turn the heat to high for 10 minutes (And don't look! You know a watched pot doesn't become a Tuscan White Bean Soup.).
- Spear a potato and be sure they are cooked through. Use an immersion blender and pulse a few times to thicken the soup. Alternatively, place half of the soup in a blender, puree, and mix back in with the other half. Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Garnish with a sprig of evergreen-esque rosemary and enjoy!
This soup is deliciously thick and perfect for dipping hearty, rustic bread. The protein and fiber from the beans will keep you satisfied throughout the party. Those holiday dieters on the other hand? Maybe you can enlighten them with some nutrition info and holiday cheer.
Check out more Recipe Redux ' Putting the pea in potluck" ideas here:
