Tuscan Bean Soup
This is another one of those recipes that got lost in the move. It’s one of my oldest and most favorite soup recipes, and I think it deserves a spot right up front!
And by old I mean eight years. This isn’t an heirloom recipe, but it should be.
One of the reasons I love this soup is because it’ll please just about anyone. It’s relatively healthy, gluten-free, and if you don’t add a sprinkle of Parmesan at the end it’s even dairy-free. It has a hearty, almost-creamy texture from the pureed beans. Such a great technique if you’re cream-phobic… which I’m not. Most of the time.
Plus it tastes great. This soup has SO much flavor. It surprises me every time.
Tuscan Bean Soup
Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients:
2 cans white beans, drained (Cannellini or Great Northern)
1 c. onion, chopped
3 medium carrots, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons olive oil
8 ounces deli ham, chopped (preferably uncured)
3 c. chicken broth, divided
½ teaspoon dried thyme
½ teaspoon dried marjoram
½ teaspoon dried rosemary
⅛ teaspoon black pepper
⅛ teaspoon crushed red pepper
1 cup Italian diced tomatoes
Salt, to tasteDirections:
Saute onion, carrots and garlic in oil in a large saucepan until onions are lightly browned, 5-8 min. Add ham and saute 2 minutes longer. Add 2 cups broth, herbs and peppers.
Process 1 ½ c beans and remaining 1 c broth in blender or food processor until smooth; add to soup and heat to boiling. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, 35-45 minutes, stirring frequently. Add remaining beans and tomatoes with liquid; simmer 10 minutes more. Season to taste with salt.
from 1001 Low-Fat Soups and Stews by Sue Spitler and Linda R. Yoakam
perrysplate
perrysplate
perrysplate
DessertForTwo — February 11, 2012 @ 4:19 pm
I eat a version of bean soup with tomato-y broth at least once a week. I’m a soup & bean addict! Have you ever done a recipe for pasta e fagioli on your site?
PS If I sent a card to the same address you gave me when you mailed me your Christmas card, would it get to your house? I know you recently moved…but hoping you are forwarding your mail or hoping you used your new address on that Christmas card…. uh oh.
[Reply]
Natalie replied: — February 13th, 2012 @ 4:14 pm
Nope, no pasta e fagioli…yet. :) I’ve never made it at home!
Jen at The Three Little Piglets — February 11, 2012 @ 5:56 pm
That’s like a big bowl of love right there! Definitely deserves the spot light!
[Reply]
Joanne — February 11, 2012 @ 6:21 pm
there’s nothing really better than a simple soup that surprises you with how much deliciousness you can cram into so few ingredients. this sounds awesome!
[Reply]
Bev Weidner — February 12, 2012 @ 6:43 am
I. Love. Tuscan. Bean. Soup.
[Reply]
Lindsay R — February 13, 2012 @ 4:33 am
I love your blog, seriously. healthy food that looks soo delish!
[Reply]
Natalie replied: — February 13th, 2012 @ 4:14 pm
Thank you Lindsay!
Andrea (Quest for Delish) — February 13, 2012 @ 11:31 am
this looks so good and not to hard. I think I will try to make this on the weekend. thanks for sharing.
[Reply]
Natalie replied: — February 13th, 2012 @ 4:15 pm
You’re welcome! Let me know how you like it!
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar — February 13, 2012 @ 3:40 pm
Mmmm pure deliciousness!
[Reply]
Dana — February 13, 2012 @ 6:59 pm
I’m glad you resurrected this one, because it sounds delicious. I need some of this warm comforting soup to combat the cold weather we’ve been having!
[Reply]
Bree — February 14, 2012 @ 9:27 am
Looks great–perfect for a cold winters day!
[Reply]
Renee — February 22, 2012 @ 11:53 am
I just made this soup this week and it was so yummy! I loved that the beans added a heartiness that a brothy soup does not have – it was nice and thick and more filling. I used a canned marinara sauce so that there weren’t any large tomato chunks (for my children who will eat tomato soup but not chunks of cooked tomatoes!). Thanks for another great recipe!
I also used your taco seasoning AGAIN this week – that stuff is so good, such a staple in our house!
[Reply]
Kathy — March 6, 2012 @ 6:57 pm
Made this and it’s so good! It tastes even better a day old. Thanks will make this again.
[Reply]
Pingback: Tuscan Bean Soup « diary of a mad crafter