Tuscan White Bean Soup

(27)
pa103621_0108_beanpot.jpg
Prep Time:
30 mins
Total Time:
1 hrs 15 mins
Servings:
8

Bacon can be substituted for pancetta, or omit bacon and use olive oil instead of drippings.

Ingredients

For the Soup:

  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

  • ¼ pound pancetta, cut into ½-inch cubes (about 1 cup)

  • ½ small red onion, diced

  • 3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced

  • 1 dried chile, crumbled

  • ¾ teaspoon fennel seed

  • 1 pound dried cannellini beans, soaked overnight and drained

  • 9 cups homemade or low-sodium store-bought chicken stock

  • 1 large bunch cavolo nero (Tuscan kale), cleaned, stemmed, and roughly chopped (8 cups)

  • Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

For the Garnish:

  • 1 loaf Tuscan bread, cut into ½-inch slices, brushed with olive oil and toasted in a 300-degree oven

  • 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved

  • ½ small red onion, diced

  • Extra-virgin olive oil

  • Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, grated

  • Crushed red pepper flakes

Directions

  1. In a medium Dutch oven or a large saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Add pancetta and cook until golden brown, about 10 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towel. Add onion and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add garlic, chile, and fennel seed, and cook for 2 minutes.

  2. Add cannellini beans and chicken stock, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and let simmer for 50 minutes, or until beans are tender.

  3. Add Tuscan kale. Stir and season with salt and pepper. Cook for 5 minutes, until kale is tender.

  4. Serve in a bowl over a slice of bread. Garnish with pancetta, tomatoes, onion, olive oil, Parmigiano-Reggiano, and crushed red pepper flakes.

Cook's Notes

If you're having more than 8 guests, double the ingredients. But don't aim for too many leftovers: We don't recommend freezing white-bean soup because the texture breaks down after a while. (Although an extra bowl or 2 will keep in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.)

Related Articles