Vegetable And Bean Soup
Vegetable And Bean Soup
Here's how to make warming, satisfying soup with a few basic ingredients and plenty of options for substitutions. Customize your soup further by stirring in something especially flavorful just before serving, or topping with croutons or shredded cheese.
Servings
8
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cup dried beans
- 2 tablespoon canola or olive oil, or low-sodium broth
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1/2 cup dry white wine, broth, or water
- 12 cup low-sodium chicken, vegetable, or beef broth
- 3 bay leaves
- 28 ounce can crushed or diced tomatoes, with their liquid
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh herbs
- 1/2 cup uncooked rice
- 4 cup frozen vegetables
Directions
- Soak beans overnight in 8 cups water overnight; drain well. (Soaking not necessary for lentils.) Cook 1 chopped onion in oil or broth in a large, deep pot over medium-high heat until deep golden brown.
- Deglaze with wine, cooking until almost absorbed. Add drained beans, broth, and bay leaves. Bring to a boil, cover and simmer until almost tender, about 2 hours. Skim off and discard any foam that shows up on the surface.
- Stir in tomatoes, herbs and rice. Simmer until rice and beans are tender, 20 to 30 minutes longer.
- Stir in frozen vegetables. Cook until hot throughout, about 10 minutes more. Season with salt and pepper and 2 tablespoons something flavorful (see options below).
- Options:
- Beans: pinto, black, cannellini, kidney, garbanzo, lentils (no soaking required for lentils!)
- Herbs: thyme, parsley, oregano, curry powder, cumin seeds
- Rice: brown, red, black, wild
- Frozen vegetables: chopped spinach, broccoli florets, collard greens, kale
- Flavorful additions: olive tapenade, lemon juice, sherry vinegar, pesto, sour cream