CANNELLINI****Tuscan Kale and Cannellini Soup - Slow Cooker

By Unblond1

16/12/13 - Very good for both and easy to throw together. Sneaky way to get cannellini by someone who has suddenly decided they don't like them. I used the pre-cut three kale blend, which had some stems in it and they never got really soft. Either remove the stems or maybe try baby kale the next time.
23/02/15 - This did not fare well in the freezer - I wound up throwing it away and we had popcorn for dinner - I think the kale was the reason - leave it out once, see what happens.

Ingredients

• 4 servings
• 2 ounces diced pancetta, hot or mild (my addition)
• 1 medium onion -- chopped
• 1 leek, thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil (if not using pancetta)
• 1 garlic clove -- finely chopped
• 1 large can cannellini beans -- with liquid
• 1/2 cup peeled, seeded and chopped tomatoes -- fresh or canned
• 2 cups chicken or beef broth
• 2 - 4 ounces kale -- cut into bite-sized pieces -- better less than more and chop it quite finely
• 2 fresh sage leaves -- chopped
• salt and freshly-ground black pepper
• extra-virgin olive oil, homemade croutons and grated parmesan to serve

Details

Servings 4

Preparation

Step 1

*Saute* the pancetta in a bit of olive oil until crisp. *Remove* and drain on paper towels and set aside until serving time.

*Cook* the onion and leeks in the oil (or pancetta drippings) over medium heat, until tender but not brown, about 10 minutes. *Don't* let them colour. *Stir* in the garlic, sage and hot pepper flakes and cook for 2 minutes longer. *Scrape* the mixture into the slow cooker.

*Puree* the beans in the food processor. *Add* the pureed beans, tomatoes, broth, kale and sage to the cooker and stir well. *Cover* and cook for *3 hours on high* or *5 hours on low*, (*I did about 7 hours on simmer*) or until vegetables are tender. *Add* salt and pepper to taste.

*Just* before serving, *stir* in the reserved pancetta and taste and adjust seasoning, if necessary. *Serve* hot with a drizzle of EVOO, a teaspoon or two of grated parmesan and some homemade croutons to be added while eating (so they don't go soggy).

Italian Slow Cooker

*NUTRITION: (Soup Only)*

* Calories - 239
* Fat - 8.2
* Sat Fat - .6
* Carbs - 29.5
* Fibre - 7.8
* Protein - 14.7