10 Weeks of Winter

Pleasant and warm…

Mild, nutritious, and satisfying, white bean soup is my choice to round out the final week in this 10 Weeks of Winter project. It’s got a wee bit more kick than the soups I made earlier in January, but remains a good simple winter soup that’s light on the digestive system. The spices used in the Winter White Bean Soup recipe create a pleasant warming effect. This is the kind of soup that’s perfect to share with a friendly companion over a lunchtime visit on a cold and rainy winter day with a side of avocado toast.

Winter White Bean Soup Recipe

Total cook and prep time: 40-60 minutes

Makes 8-10 servings.

Ingredients:

• 1-2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3-5 cloves of garlic, minced
• 3 celery sticks, chopped
• 1 avocado, chopped
• 1½ tsp smoked salt, to taste (or regular salt)
• 1½ tsp cumin
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1 can coconut cream
• Optional: mild Italian turkey sausage or other meat or protein
• 4 cups kale, chopped
• 4 14oz cans cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
• 5 cups bone broth or chicken stock
• ½ tsp celery seed
• 1 tsp cardamom
• 1 ½ cup parmesan cheese, shredded

Instructions:

1. In large soup pot, sauté the onion and garlic olive oil for 6 minutes
2. Add celery and avocado and sauté for another 4 minutes
3. Season with smoked or regular salt and coriander
4. Add lemon juice and coconut cream and heat until warm, smooth, and thoroughly mixed
5. Remove contents of soup pot into blender or bowl and blend until creamy with blend or emersion blender
6. If adding meat, chop and cook completely in soup pot
7. Add blended soup base back into pot, stir to combine then add beans and bone broth
8. Heat until soup reaches a low simmer
9. Add celery seed and cardamom seasoning
10. Simmer for 10 minutes
11. Add parmesan cheese and stir until combined
12. Add kale and stir and simmer for another 8 minutes

To serve, dish soup into bowl and garnish with parmesan cheese and broccoli sprouts or other micro greens, and add a slice of lemon if desired.

For more winter soups, check out:

• Cabbage Soup
• Root Vegetable Soup
• Broccoli Soup
• Chili

Winter white bean soup photo album…

Stages of making winter white bean soup.

Bowl of winter white bean soup.