Recipe For Cannellini Bean Soup

CANNELLINI BEAN SOUP

Steps:

• Rinse the beans well and place in a large pot. Cover the beans with 4 quarts of water. Bring to a boil, cover, and turn off the heat. Allow to soak for 1 hour.
• Place the olive oil, onions, and garlic in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. When the garlic begins to sizzle, after about 30 seconds, add the carrots and celery and continue to cook, stirring, for about 5 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes, basil, and parsley and cook, stirring occasionally, for an additional 3 minutes.
• Add 6 cups of the soaked beans, cover with 10 cups of cold water, and stir to combine. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer, partially covered, until the beans are tender and creamy, at least 1 1/2 but up to 2 1/2 hours. Add water if necessary to achieve desired consistency; the soup should be thick. Add the salt halfway through the cooking. Serve with freshly grated Parmesan cheese, freshly black ground black pepper, and a drizzle of olive oil.

CREAMY CANNELLINI SOUP

Steps:

• Combine onion, sausage, and celery in a large saucepan. Cook until sausage has no pink remaining. Drain any fat.
• Add potato, seasoning, one can of cannellini beans, and 3 cups chicken broth. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, combine remaining cannellini beans and 1 cup chicken broth in a blender. Blend until smooth.
• Add to soup and simmer an additional 5 minutes.
• Remove from heat, stir in pesto. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Garnish with parmesan cheese and parsley if desired.

CANNELLINI BEAN SOUP WITH KALE AND GARLIC-OLIVE OIL CROSTINI

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large pot. Add garlic and oregano and cook no more than a minute. Add tomato paste and vinegar, and cook another minute. Add beans and stock and bring to a simmer. Season with salt and pepper. Add kale and simmer, partially covered, for 1 hour. Season, to taste, again with salt and pepper before serving.
• Slice baguette on a heavy angle to create long slices. Toast in a toaster or in the conventional oven. Rub once or twice with half a garlic clove. Season a shallow plate of extra-virgin olive oil with salt and dip each side of bread into the oil. Serve as accompaniment to the soup.

CANNELLINI BEAN SOUP

Steps:

• Fry the shallots, garlic, carrot, celery, leeks and bacon in the oil for 7 minutes, until softened but not brown.
• Pour in the stock and add the bay leaves and oregano.
• Season and bring to the boil, cover the pan and simmer gently for 15 minutes.
• Tip in the beans, re-cover and simmer for a further 5 minutes.
• Swirl the chopped parsley into the soup.
• Serve sprinkled with a little extra parsley.