Tuscan White Bean Soup
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What you will need:
1 pound dried white cannellini beans
Patricia & Paul medium or robust EVOO
4 ounces pancetta, ¼-inch diced
2 cups chopped leeks, white and light green parts (2 leeks)
2 cups chopped yellow onion (2 onions)
2 cups (½-inch) diced carrots, scrubbed (5 carrots)
2 cups (½-inch) diced celery (4 ribs)
2 Tbsp minced garlic (6 cloves)
2 tsp minced fresh rosemary
8 to 10 cups chicken stock
2 bay leaves
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Preparation:
At least 8 hours or the night before you make the soup, place the beans in a large bowl and add enough cold water to cover the beans by 2 inches. Refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight. Drain the beans, rinse under cold running water, and drain again. Set aside.
In a large (10-inch) pot, heat ¼ cup of olive oil over medium heat, add the pancetta, and sauté for 4 to 5 minutes, until browned. Add the leeks, onions, carrots, celery, garlic, and rosemary and cook over medium-low for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender. Add the beans, 8 cups of the chicken stock, bay leaves, 1 tablespoon salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer, partially covered, for 1 hour and 30 minutes, until the beans are tender. Stir occasionally, scraping the bottom of the pot. Discard the bay leaves, cover the pot, and allow the soup to sit off the heat for 15 minutes. Add up to 2 more cups of chicken stock if the soup is too thick.
Reheat slowly, ladle into large shallow soup bowls, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, drizzle with EVOO, and serve hot.