Description
Hearty Tuscan white bean soup celebrates robust Italian flavors with a comforting blend of creamy beans, aromatic herbs, and rich vegetables. Home cooks can savor this simple, nourishing dish that brings warmth and Mediterranean charm to winter meals.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450g) dried white cannellini beans
- 4 oz (115g) pancetta, ¼-inch diced
- 2 cups chopped leeks, white and light green parts (2 leeks)
- 2 cups chopped yellow onions (2 onions)
- 2 cups (½-inch) diced carrots, scrubbed (3 to 5 carrots)
- 2 cups (½-inch) diced celery (4 ribs)
- 2 tbsps minced garlic (6 cloves)
- 2 tsps minced fresh rosemary
- ¼ cup (60ml) good olive oil
- 8–10 cups (2–2.5 liters) good chicken stock, preferably homemade
- 2 bay leaves
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese (Italian), for serving
Instructions
- Bean Preparation: Submerge cannellini beans in cold water overnight. Drain and rinse thoroughly, setting aside for soup development.
- Pancetta Foundation: Heat olive oil in a medium pot, sizzle pancetta until golden-brown, creating a robust flavor base for the soup.
- Vegetable Infusion: Add leeks, onions, carrots, celery, garlic, and rosemary to the pot. Sauté on medium-low heat until vegetables soften and release their aromatic essence, approximately 10 minutes.
- Liquid Integration: Combine prepared beans, chicken stock, bay leaves, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer. Cook partially covered for 90 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent adherence and ensure even cooking.
- Flavor Refinement: Remove bay leaves and allow soup to rest off heat for 15 minutes, enabling ingredients to harmonize and intensify their collective flavor profile.
- Elegant Presentation: Reheat if needed, then ladle into serving bowls. Garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and a delicate olive oil drizzle. Serve immediately while piping hot, offering a rustic Tuscan culinary experience.
Notes
- Soak Smartly: Overnight bean soaking is crucial for breaking down complex sugars, reducing digestive discomfort, and ensuring even cooking.
- Pancetta Precision: Golden-brown pancetta develops deep, rich flavor; don’t rush the browning process to maximize taste complexity.
- Vegetable Layering: Low and slow sautéing allows vegetables to release natural sugars, creating a robust flavor foundation for the soup.
- Resting Ritual: Letting the soup rest off the heat allows ingredients to harmonize, intensifying overall taste and creating a more cohesive dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 10g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 10mg