- 8
Ingredients
- 1/2 pound dried white beans as Great Northern or Cannellini
- Kosher Salt
- 1/4 pound large diced pancetta or smoked bacon
- 2 cups chopped yelow onions (2 onions)
- 1 cup chopped carrots (3 carrots)
- 1 cup chopped celery (3 stalks)
- 3 tablespoons minced garlic (6 cloves)
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 (28 ounce) can Italian plum tomatoes in Puree, chopped
- 4 cups coarsely chopped or shredded Savoy cabbage, optional
- 4 cups coarsely chopped Kale
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
- 6 cups chicken stock, perferably homemade
- 4 cups sourdough bread cubes, crusts removed
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan Cheese
Preparation
Step 1
In a large bowl, cover the beans with cold water by 1-inch and cover with plastic wrap. Allow to soak overnight in the refrigerator.
Drain the beans and place them in a large pot with 8 cups water, and bring to a boil. Power the heat and simmer uncovered for 45 minutes. Add 1 teaspoon of salt and continue to simmer for about 15 minutes, until beans are tender. Set beans aside to cool in their liquid.
Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large stockpot. Add the pancetta and onions and cook over medium-low heat for 7 to 10 minutes, until the onions are translucent. Add the carrots, Celery ,garlic, 1 tablespoon of salt, the pepper and the red pepper flakes. Cook over medium-low heat for 7 to 10 minutes, until veggies are tender. Add the tomatoes with their puree, the cabbage, if using kale, and basil and cook over medium-low heat,stirring occasionally for another 7 to 10 min.
Drain the beans, reserving their cooking liquid. In the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade, puree half of the beans with a little of thir liquid. Add to the stock pot along with the remaining whole beans. Pour the bean cooking liquid into a large measuring cup and add enough chicken stock to make 8 cups. Add to the soup and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer over low heat for 20 minutes.
Add the bread to the soup and simmer for 10 more minutes. Taste for seasoning and serve hot in large bowl sprinkled with Parmesan and drizzled with olive oil.