Rustic Bread White Bean & Greens Soup

Soups are my favorite! Yep, no matter the weather. But this foggy day has brought out one of best! Complete nutrition in one bowl. Delicious? You bet! Rustic crusty bread adds to the simple recipe. Use your favorite greens! Add a few shavings of Parmesan and voila!

Recipe

1 Tablespoon olive oil
1 Sweet yellow onion-diced
1 Clove garlic-minced (optional)
1/2 Pound lean Italian turkey sausage (bulk)
15 Ounce can petite cut tomatoes
1 Cup dried Great Northern white beans or dried cannellini beans-pick out stones and rinse well
1 Quart water (more as needed if cooks down)
8 Ounces fresh chopped kale (or greens of choice) or fresh frozen (no need to defrost)
1 Teaspoon Italian spices (optional)
3/4 Teaspoon salt or salt to taste
Crusty rustic bread cut into cubes (stale or fresh) Add as little or as much as desired.
Parmesan cheese shavings as desired

In a large saucepan or dutch oven (you will need a lid) add the olive oil over medium heat.

Add the onion to the heated oil and sauté for about 15 minutes to achieve a golden appearance. Turn heat down if the onion begins to brown.

Add the minced garlic if using and sauté with the onion for about a minute.

Crumble the sausage into the cooked onion and cook through. You may wish to cook the sausage separately to render off fat … then add.

Add the tomatoes, beans, Italian spices if using and water to the onion and sausage. Bring to a simmer over medium high heat. Then turn heat to low and cover.

Once the ingredients have begun to simmer you may wish to add the greens. Replace the lid after. For kale, I like to add at this time to achieve a tender result. But remember this is going to cook for about 3-4 hours … plenty of time to add the greens. If using spinach, add at the very end of cooking is my suggestion.

Check after 2 hours for need of additional water and tenderness of beans. Add salt.

Cook until beans are tender. This will depend on the age and type of beans you are using.

Serve over rustic bread and garnish with Parmesan cheese.

Enjoy!