Soup Recipe: Hearty White Bean Soup

Ingredients:
(c=cup)

1. 3 tbsp olive oil
2. 1 large Vidalia onion
3. 1 leek
4. 2 c dried Great Northern beans
5. 1 large tomato
6. Fresh ground black pepper
7. 2 medium carrots
8. 2 ribs celery
9. 6 cloves garlic
10. 4 oz. bacon
11. 2 quarts vegetable (or chicken) stock
12. 1 tbsp fresh thyme
13. 1/2 c Heavy cream
14. Coarse salt

Directions:

• Place beans in a big pot with enough water to cover beans by 2 inches, soak overnight.
• Drain beans.
• Using a big saucepan over medium-high heat, preheat the oil.
• Saute onion, tomato, leek, celery, carrots, bacon & garlic, stirring frequently, until vegetables are tender, about 6 mins.
• Add vegetable stock, & thyme.
• Bring soup to boil, reduce heat to medium low.
• Cover and simmer until beans are tender, stirring occasionally, about 60 mins.

• Using a blender or a food processor fitted with a blade attachment, working in batches, puree soup until smooth.
• Back to soup to pot.
• Add cream if needed, additional stock to thin soup.
• Add  pepper and salt.