Few meals are more satisfying when it’s frigid outside than a big bowl of hot soup. I have many favorites like Pasta e Fagioli, but I’m always looking for new soup recipes to try. Here are a few that I’ve bookmarked: Sweet Potato, Kale and Chickpea Soup, this unusual Roasted Beet Soup (maybe with golden beets – my favorite), and Lorraine’s lightened-up version of the West African Peanut Soup that I posted a while ago.
But this recipe is from Giovanna. We decided to do a ‘soup swap’ post – I made her Farro and Borlotti Bean Soup, and she made one of my favorites Vegan Butternut Squash Soup with her own twist – a dollop of fresh, sheep’s milk ricotta. Yum!
Her recipes continue to amaze me. Is it her Italian heritage or just a gift, to come up with uncomplicated recipes with such extraordinary flavor? Whatever the answer, this soup is delicious: hearty, healthful, filling, fantastic.
Farro and Borlotti Bean Soup with Garlic Croutons
Look for cranberry beans in US stores - they're the same thing.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 50 minutes
Servings 6 people
Ingredients
For the garlic croutons:
- 2 slices thick bread crusts removed, I used whole wheat sourdough
- 1 clove garlic halved lengthwise
- olive oil
- salt
For the soup:
- 2 slices bacon diced
- olive oil
- 1 carrot finely chopped
- 1 onion finely chopped
- 1 celery rib finely chopped
- 2 cups cooked borlotti (cranberry) beans
- 15 ounce can tomato sauce
- 1 cup farro or spelt berries
- 2 1/2 cups water
- salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
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To make the croutons:
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Preheat the oven to 300°.
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Rub the bread slices on both sides with the garlic halves.
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Cut bread into 1/2 to 1-inch cubed. Spread in a single layer on a cookie sheet. Drizzle generously with olive oil and add a light sprinkle of salt. Bake 15 minutes, stir; bake 15 minutes more. Remove from oven and reserve.
To make the soup:
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Heat a medium soup pot over medium heat. Add bacon; cook and stir until bacon is crisp and fat is rendered.
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If there isn't much fat; add a swirl of olive oil. Add carrot, onion, celery and a small pinch of salt; cook and stir until onion is translucent - about 3 minutes.
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Add borlotti (or cranberry) beans and stir to coat. Add tomato sauce; stir to combine. Add the farro or spelt and stir to combine.
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Reduce heat to low and add water. Simmer on low for 1 1/2 hours.
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Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Sprinkle croutons on top of soup; drizzle with extra virgin olive oil. Serve.
One day i’ll ask you to remodel my blog, all the pictures are so cute!!! i really love our sharing posts !!!
Beautiful! Every element of this dish looks just perfect–the creamy beans, the crisp croutons. Winter food is just so satisfying, isn’t it?
I love these kinds of hearty soups too – perfect for making a big vat for dinner, and then bringing it to work the next day for a healthy meal! I look forward to trying this 🙂
That looks wonderful and from looking at the recipe, entirely doable too! We loved that West African chicken stew-others have made it and enjoyed it too so thank you for sharing it! 😀