| Prep: 15 mins | Cook: 30 mins – 45 mins | Difficulty: Moderate | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 224.5 | 7.5g | 1.0g | 29g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 3g | 7g | 11g | 0.1g |
As a Louisiana native with a penchant for French cuisine, I fell in love with the Kale and White Bean Soup for its subtly refined flavors enhanced with simplistic ingredients. This recipe takes me back to the rustic French countryside, yet throbs with the heartiness reminiscent of Creole comfort food. It wonderfully combines my appreciation for French elegance and Creole richness with a touch of universal appeal.
A Soup with a Punch of Nutrition
The most beautiful thing about this recipe is that it is deceptively simple, yielding maximum flavors and packed full of nutrients. The star ingredient here, kale, is a nutrition powerhouse that can boost wellbeing and prevent a range of health issues. It is amongst the most nutrient-dense foods on Earth, rich in antioxidants, Vitamin C, K, A and other minerals HealthLine. Paired with white beans—an excellent source of fiber, protein, and iron, this soup is not merely a meal, but a nourishing experience.
The Art of Simplicity
In a terrain dominated by extravagant recipes and exuberant plating, the Kale and White Bean Soup stands for beautiful simplicity. This soup can be your midweek pick-me-up or a cozy companion on a rainy Sunday afternoon. It can be savored as is or makes an excellent companion for a slice of crusty French bread or a hearty homemade crouton. This dish echoes the warmth of French Onion Soup but with a unique twist all its own. Moreover, its ingredients signify flexibility, promoting the use of your favorite vegetables or beans.
A Recipe that Mirrors My Food Philosophy
With its heart of Creole richness, elegance of French cuisine, and the joy of simplicity, the Kale and White Bean Soup embodies my food philosophy. It’s a recipe that produces a result greater than the sum of its parts, offering pleasure to the senses and nourishment to the body. For the love of good food and cheer of sharing it, this soup brings the world together in a pot, creating an experience that would make any food lover smile.
What You’ll Need
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cans (15 oz each) white beans, rinsed and drained
- 5 cups vegetable broth
- 2 cups water
- 1 large bunch kale, stemmed and chopped
- 2 medium carrots, diced
- 2 celery sticks, diced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 lemon, juiced
Method
Step One
Start by heating up the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Once the oil is warm, add the diced onion to the pot. Sauté the onions until they become translucent, this should take about 5 minutes.
Step Two
Add the minced garlic to the pot and sauté it with the onions for another 2 minutes, or until the garlic becomes fragrant.
Step Three
Next, add the rinsed and drained white beans, vegetable broth, and water to the pot. Stir well to combine these ingredients.
Step Four
Now it’s time to add the chopped kale, diced carrots, and diced celery sticks into the pot. Give it a good stir.
Step Five
Season the soup with salt, black pepper, optional crushed red pepper flakes, thyme, and bay leaf. Mix everything together before covering the pot and letting the soup simmer.
Step Six
You should let your soup simmer for at least 15-20 minutes, or until the kale is wilted and the carrots are tender.
Step Seven
Finally, at the end of the cooking process, add the juice from one lemon to your kale and white bean soup. Give it a final stir and serve it while it’s warm. The acidity from the lemon juice will add a pleasant brightness to the flavors of your soup. Enjoy!
