Cranberry Bean Soup Recipe
Servings: 6 -8
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons unrefined cold-pressed extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 large onion chopped
- 4 garlic cloves thinly sliced
- 2 carrots diced
- 2 stalks celery sliced
- 1 18 ounce jar diced tomatoes with juice I like Jovial
- 1 pound dried cranberry beans aka Borlotti beans, soaked at least 6 hours or overnight and drained (I prefer Rancho Gordo), or use pinto beans
- Large piece of rind from a wedge of Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese if you have it
- 8 cups of water or homemade chicken or vegetable stock
- 3 cups baby spinach leaves or chopped Swiss chard leaves
- 2 teaspoons sea salt or more if using unsalted stock or water
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Sliced basil leaves or pesto for garnish optional
- Freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano or Pecorino-Romano cheese optional
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil over medium-low heat in a large pot and add the onions, garlic, carrots and celery. Cook until vegetables have softened and the onions are tender and translucent, about 8 minutes.
- Add the tomatoes with the juice and cook for 5 more minutes, until the tomatoes are fragrant.
- Add the drained beans, Parmesan rind and water or stock (do NOT add salt here) and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer, partially covered for 1 hour, or until the beans are tender. Softening the beans can take anywhere from 1 to 2 hours, depending on the age of the beans.
- Once the beans are softened, add the spinach and stir until wilted.
- Add the salt and pepper and taste for seasoning. Top with sliced basil leaves or pesto and grated cheese (if desired).
Notes
This soup is excellent with a little turkey bacon or pancetta. In Step 1 before adding onion, sauté diced meat until browned and then add onion, etc.
To make this truly vegan, omit the parmesan rind.
To make this truly vegan, omit the parmesan rind.