That's Damn Good!: Two-Bean Soup with Kale

Monday, January 4, 2010

Two-Bean Soup with Kale

Bean soups can be hit or miss. Kale, to me, is something that goes around the salad bar at restaurants. I'm not sure why I decided to try this recipe, but I'm glad I did. Simple to make, great flavor and so satisfying on a cold winter night like we're having in the Midwest.

You can use any combo of beans you have on hand, but I love the silkiness of the cannelloni beans.

Add chopped chicken or sausage if you want to make it heartier.

I got this from Cookinglight.com.

Enjoy!

Two-Bean Soup with Kale
Serves 6

3 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped carrot
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/2 teaspoon salt, divided
2 garlic cloves, minced
4 cups organic vegetable broth, divided
7 cups stemmed, chopped kale (about 1 bunch)
2 (15-ounce) cans no-salt-added cannelloni beans, rinsed, drained, and divided
1 (15-ounce) can no-salt-added black beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary

Preparation

1. Heat a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add olive oil to pan; swirl to coat. Add onion, carrot, and celery, and saute 6 minutes or until tender. Stir in 1/4 teaspoon salt and garlic; cook 1 minute. Stir in 3 cups vegetable broth and kale. Bring to a boil; cover, reduce heat, and simmer 3 minutes or until kale is crisp-tender.
2. Place half of cannelloni beans and remaining 1 cup vegetable broth in a blender or food processor; process until smooth. Add pureed bean mixture, remaining cannelloni beans, black beans, and pepper to soup. Bring to a boil; reduce heat, and simmer 5 minutes. Stir in remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, vinegar, and rosemary.