Kale and White Bean Soup

Winter Soups Recipes!
Ah, winter. Don't get me wrong, I'll be cursing it by February, but right now I am enjoying its finer pleasures like curling up under layers of blankets and night and hot bowls of soup for dinner. Try serving it with crusty bread or even use up some stale bread with an old Italian trick - put a slice of stale bread in the bottom of each bowl, then laddel the soup over it. It's add a lovely heartiness to the soup.
<3 shannon

Kale and White Bean Soup
1 lb dried navy beans (any white bean will do)
2 onions, chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 garlic cloves, minced (up to 6 if you like it really garlicky)
5 cups vegetable or chicken broth
1 qt water
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 bay leaf
1/4 tsp dried rosemary, crushed
8 carrots, cut into half moon slices
1 lb kale (preferably lacinato), stems and center ribs discarded and leaves coarsely chopped

*optional: 1 lb vegan (Tofurkey) or meat sausage, sliced into rounds

Cover the beans with water by 2 inches in a pot and bring them to a boil. Remove from heat and let stand, uncovered, 1 hour. Drain the beans in a colander and rinse.
Then, cook the onions in the oil in an large pot over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, 4 to 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Add beans, broth, 1 quart water, salt, pepper, bay leaf, and rosemary and simmer, uncovered, until beans are just tender, about 50 minutes.

While soup is simmering, brown sausage (if using) in batches in a heavy skillet over moderate heat. If you are using meat sausage, then transfer to paper towels to drain.

Stir the carrots into the soup and simmer for 5 minutes or so. Stir in kale, sausage and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until kale is tender, 12 to 15 minutes. Season soup with salt 'n'pepper.


* This soup is particularly good if made 1 or 2 days ahead., make it when you have some free time and save it for a busy day when you don't have time to make dinner. Cool completely, uncovered, then refridgerate, covered. Thin with water if necessary.