ITALIAN WHITE BEAN SOUP

Steps:

• To cook the beans, follow the method page 110, adding the olive oil and a sachet made with the rosemary, thyme, sage, and garlic to the cooking liquid. (If using canned beans, skip this step.)
• To make the soup, heat the olive oil in a soup pot over medium heat, then add the onions, fennel, and a pinch of salt, and sauté until golden, about 4 minutes. Stir in the carrots, celery, potato, garlic, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt, then add the sage, thyme, and saffron and sauté until the vegetables are soft, about 15 minutes.
• Pour in 1/2 cup of the broth to deglaze the pot and cook until the liquid is reduced by half. Add the remaining 7 1/2 cups broth and the beans, then lower the heat and simmer until the vegetables are tender and the beans are heated through, about 10 minutes. Stir in the lemon juice, parsley, basil, and another 1/4 teaspoon of salt and serve right away.
• variation
• For a more southern Italian flair and some added lycopene, add 1 cup of canned diced tomatoes (drained) after you add the garlic. Since tomatoes are naturally acidic, skip the lemon juice.
• rebecca's notes
• This is a soup that swings well both ways, as a hearty soup or as a blended soup. If you serve it blended, top it with a generous amount of Parsley Basil Drizzle (page 187) for extra yum.
• storage
• Store in a covered container in the refrigerator for 5 to 7 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months.
• nutrition information
• (per serving)
• Calories: 275
• Total Fat: 4.5g (0.7g saturated, 3g monounsaturated)
• Carbohydrates: 48g
• Protein: 12g
• Fiber: 11g
• Sodium: 680mg