Hearty Tuscan White Bean Soup

Hearty Tuscan White Bean Soup is a warm and comforting dish, perfect for chilly evenings or whenever you're in the mood for a nourishing meal. Featuring a blend of cannellini beans, fresh vegetables, and rich flavors from Italian seasoning, this soup is both satisfying and healthy. It's a vegetarian delight that's easy to prepare and sure to please the whole family.

Ingredients:

• ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 medium shallots, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, mashed
• 2 carrots, chopped into coins
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 3 (15 ounce) cans cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 5-6 cups vegetable broth
• ½ teaspoon sea salt
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 3 cups fresh spinach

Instructions:

Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics
In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and chopped shallots, cooking until they are soft and translucent, about 3-5 minutes. Add the mashed garlic, and continue to sauté for another minute until fragrant.

Step 2: Add Vegetables
To the pot, add the chopped carrots and diced celery. Cook the mixture for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables start to soften.

Step 3: Add Beans and Seasonings
Stir in the cannellini beans, bay leaves, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Mix well to ensure the beans are evenly coated with the seasonings.

Step 4: Pour in the Broth
Add the vegetable broth to the pot. The amount of broth can be adjusted based on how thick you prefer your soup. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.

Step 5: Season the Soup
After simmering, season the soup with sea salt and ground black pepper. Adjust the seasoning according to your taste.

Step 6: Add Spinach
A few minutes before serving, add the fresh spinach to the pot. Stir until the spinach wilts and becomes tender, about 2-3 minutes.

Step 7: Serve
Remove the bay leaves from the soup. Ladle the soup into bowls and serve hot. For an extra touch of richness, you can drizzle a bit of olive oil on top of each serving or sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese.

Tips:

• Blending for Thickness: For a thicker soup, you can take out one cup of the soup (beans and broth), blend it until smooth, and then stir it back into the pot.
• Variations: Feel free to add other vegetables like potatoes or kale to the soup for added nutrition and flavor.
• Storage: This soup stores well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and freezes beautifully for up to 3 months.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve the Hearty Tuscan White Bean Soup with crusty bread for dipping or a side salad for a complete and balanced meal.

Prep Time:

• Preparation Time: 15 minutes
• Cooking Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 45 minutes

Conclusion

Hearty Tuscan White Bean Soup is a delicious and easy-to-make meal that's perfect for any day of the week. Its rich flavors and wholesome ingredients make it a comforting choice for dinner, especially during the colder months. Enjoy this classic Italian soup with your loved ones and savor the taste of Tuscany right at your dining table.