BEAN WITH BACON SOUP

Bean with Bacon Soup image

Number Of Ingredients 13

1/4 pound bacon, crisply cooked, crumbled and 2 t. drippings reserved
1 to 2 tablespoon butter
1/2 red onion, finely chopped
1/2 red bell pepper, finely chopped
1 carrot, peeled and finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
salt and pepper to taste
1 teaspoon fresh thyme, minced
1/4 cup dry white wine or chicken broth
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups chicken broth
1 (15-ounce) can great northern beans, drained and rinsed
Garnish: grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

Place reserved drippings in a stockpot. Add butter, onion, red pepper and carrot. Sauté over medium heat until vegetables are tender. Stir in garlic; cook for about 2 minutes. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Stir in thyme; cook for one minute. Add wine or broth; continue to cook over medium heat until liquid evaporates. Whisk in flour; cook for 2 minutes. Stir in broth; simmer for 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in beans and reserved bacon; cook until heated through. Sprinkle with cheese. It's easy to keep rolls nice and warm alongside servings of soup. Before arranging rolls in a bread basket, place a terra cotta warming tile in the bottom and line with a Christmasy tea towel.

Nutrition Facts : Nutritional Facts Serves