TOMATO-WHITE BEAN SOUP WITH PESTO

Tomato-White Bean Soup with Pesto image

Provided by Kerri Conan

Yield Makes 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

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2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large yellow onion, chopped
4 celery stalks, chopped
2 medium carrots, chopped
3 cloves garlic, quartered
1/2 cup dry white wine or water
1 quart low-sodium vegetable stock
2 cups canned cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (14 ounces) diced tomatoes
2 bay leaves
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
2 packed cups fresh basil
1/4 cup walnuts
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Steps:

In a large pot, heat oil over medium heat. Cook onion, stirring occasionally, until golden, 3 to 5 minutes. Add celery, carrots and garlic; cook, stirring, until vegetables soften, 3 to 5 minutes. Add wine; stir to scrape brown bits off bottom of pot. Add stock, beans, tomatoes, bay leaves and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Bring soup to a boil; reduce heat, cover, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until carrots are very soft, 15 to 20 minutes. In a blender, puree basil, walnuts, black pepper, remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 cup water. Transfer pesto to a bowl; wash blender. Remove bay leaves from soup; discard. In blender, carefully puree half of soup; transfer to a bowl; repeat with remaining half of soup. Divide soup among 4 bowls, dollop each with 1/4 pesto, and swirl in; serve.