GMA Recipe: White Bean Soup

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White Bean Soup
From chef and author Wolfgang Puck
2000

Wolfgang's white bean soup is perfect for a cold evening. It's just one of his recipes from his new family cookbook, Wolfgang Puck's Pizza, Pasta and More.

Ingredients

2 cups dry white beans

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

2 ounces smoked bacon (about three slices), cut into strips

2 medium onions (1 pound), peeled, trimmed and diced

2 large carrots, trimmed, peeled and diced (3/4 cup)

2 small celery stalks, trimmed and diced (1/2 cup)

1 small celery root, peeled and diced

6 garlic cloves, peeled and chopped

1/4 cup tomato paste

1 large tomato (8 ounces), peeled, seeded and chopped

2 or 3 fresh basil leaves

2 or 3 sprigs of fresh flat-leaf parsley

1 sprig of fresh thyme

1 sprig of fresh rosemary

1/3 cup sherry wine vinegar

2 teaspoons sugar

2 1/2 quarts homemade or store-bought chicken stock, or vegetable stock, heated

Kosher salt and freshly ground white pepper

Sliced cooked sausage, for garnish, (optional)

Braised swiss chard, for garnish, (optional)

Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for garnish, (optional)

Directions

1. In a large bowl, soak the beans overnight in enough cold water to cover. Drain.

2. Heat a large stockpot and pour in the olive oil. Add the strips of bacon and cook for a few minutes to render flavor to the soup. Remove the bacon.

3. Add the onions, carrots, celery, and celery root and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until just tender, 3 to 4 minutes.

4. Stir in the garlic, tomato paste, chopped tomato and the drained beans. Tie together the basil, parsley, thyme and rosemary. Add to the pot with the vinegar and the sugar. Pour in the stock and stir to combine thoroughly. Season lightly with salt and pepper.

5. Cook over medium heat until the beans are tender, 2 to 2 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally, adding more stock as necessary.

6. Discard the herbs. Remove 2 cups of the beans and vegetables and puree blender or food processor. Stir the puree back into the soup and adjust the seasoning to taste.

7. To serve, spoon the soup into heated bowls. Garnish with sausage, Swiss chard, or Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Recipe copyright ©2000 by Wolfgang Puck