Creamy White Bean Soup with Rosemary - serves 8

When the cold weather hits, there is nothing more satisfying to me than a good bowl of soup. This is a rich, creamy and filling soup that is made creamy by blending about half of the beans. This leaves a a nice thick soup that still has chunks of vegetables and beans so you feel like you are eating something hearty. Add a nice piece of bread and a side salad and you have a nourishing, filling meal!

Image from midwestfoodie.com

Ingredients:

1 15-16oz. bag dried great northern, cannelloni or navy beans, soaked and cooked OR 4 cans, drained and rinsed

1 Tbsp. avocado oil

1 medium yellow onion, small dice

1 medium carrot, small dice

1 large stalk celery, small dice

3-4 cloves garlic, minced

6 cups chicken stock (or substitute vegetable stock)

1⁄4 cup white wine

3 Tbs. fresh squeezed lemon juice + the zest from one lemon

2 Tbsp. fresh rosemary, minced

1/4 tsp. white pepper

Kosher salt to taste

4 cups Lacinato (dinosaur) kale, sliced into ribbons (one small bunch)

Directions:

1. Heat the oil in a stock pot over medium high heat. Add the onions, carrots, and celery

   to the pot. Sprinkle lightly with kosher salt and stir. Sauté the vegetables until

   translucent and tender, about 5 minutes.

2. Add garlic, white pepper, and rosemary. Stir and cook until garlic becomes fragrant,

   about 30 seconds. Add beans, white wine, and chicken stock to pot, stir and bring to a

   boil.

3. Simmer for about 5 minutes and then turn off heat. Ladle soup into blender until

   blender is 1⁄2 full. Blend to puree and return to pot. Continue to do this until desired

   consistency. I usually blend about 1⁄2 of the soup.

4. Add the kale to the pot and return it to a boil. Once the kale is wilted and bright green,

   remove pot from the heat. Add lemon juice and lemon zest. Stir and taste. Adjust salt

   and pepper as needed.

*If preparing ahead of time, prepare through step 3 and refrigerate. It will thicken substantially in the

refrigerator. Add 1⁄2 cup of stock or water, stir and reheat. Add more liquid as needed to achieve the

desired consistency. Then proceed with step 4.