Creamy White Bean And Chard Soup Recipes

TUSCAN SWISS CHARD AND BEANS SOUP

Steps:

• Thinly chop the Swiss Chard and submerge into a large pot of cold water, rinse under running water as needed, and transfer to a colander to drain. Do the same with the second bunch. Set aside.
• In a large saucepot, heat olive oil over medium heat, add the garlic and red pepper flakes, and saute the garlic for 2 minutes to soften. Turn off the heat. (have the lid to the pot nearby)
• Toss in the wet Swiss Chard and cover with the lid. Turn back on the heat, on medium heat. Allow the chard to saute and simmer for about 5 minutes. Stirring occasionally. The liquid on the bottom with be watery and that's good. Add salt, garlic powder, and dried oregano.
• Add the beans. Cover again with the lid, and allow the beans to saute with the chard for 2 minutes. Add an additional tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil to the chard and beans.
• Pour in the water and vegetable broth and bring to a low simmer. Then toss in the chopped tomato.
• Cover with lid and simmer the soup for 8 minutes more. Turn off the soup. Here is where you can drop 1 rind of Parmigiano-Reggiano into the soup. Leave it in the soup for 10 minutes. It will slowly melt and give more flavor to this soup. Then fish it out and discard before serving.
• Taste and season with black pepper to taste. Feel free to add more salt, if you prefer.
• Yields: 4 to 6 servings.

WHITE BEAN-CHARD SOUP

Steps:

• Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a medium pot over medium-high heat. Add the onion, celery and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and cook until the vegetables are golden brown, about 5 minutes. Add the beans and broth, bring to a simmer and cook 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat the remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the roasted peppers, minced garlic and cilantro and cook until the garlic is soft, about 2 minutes. Stir in the chard, cover and cook until wilted, 1 to 2 minutes. Scrape the contents of the skillet into the pot and simmer until heated through, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
• Toast the bread, then rub with the whole garlic clove. Serve the soup with the bread and lemon wedges, if desired.

CHARD AND WHITE BEAN SOUP

Steps:

• Combine bacon, onion, garlic, nutmeg and red pepper flakes in a 4-qt saucepan; cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until onion is softened, 4 to 5 minutes.
• Add chicken broth and white beans, increase heat to high; cook until mixture comes to a boil.
• Cut chard stems into 3/4-inch slices.
• Cut leaves in half lengthwise, stack, and cut crosswise into 1-inch ribbons.
• Add chard stems and pasta when soup boils.
• Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer 7 minutes.
• Add chard leaves; simmer until wilted, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Add sage; remove from heat.
• Ladle soup into 4 bowls and drizzle with olive oil.

WHITE BEAN SOUP WITH SWISS CHARD

Steps:

• Place the beans in a large pot and cover with water. Let them soak overnight.
• The next day, drain the beans, reserving 2 cups of liquid.
• In a large pot, heat the oil. Add the onions and saute until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the carrots and saute for an additional 3 minutes. Add the chard and cook until wilted, about 3 minutes. Add the broth, reserved bean liquid, beans, garlic and bay leaf. Partially cover and simmer for 1-2 hours, until beans are tender.
• Remove bay leaf. Puree half of the soup in a blender. Return to pot with remaining soup. Add salt, pepper and parsley.