Tuscan Bean and Swiss Chard Soup

Tuscan Bean and Swiss Chard Soup

Info

Rating
Calories
699.0
Protein
40.0
Sodium
1068.0
Fat
25.0

Description

The pancetta and cheese rind give this soup a rich, almost creamy flavor. We removed the stems from the Swiss chard, but if you don't want to waste them, feel free to put them in the soup as well: Once the leaves are sliced, chop the stems and add them to the soup along with the leaves.

Ingredients

1 lb dried white beans such as Great Northern, cannellini, or navy (2 cups), picked over and rinsed
1/4 lb sliced pancetta, chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
1 fennel bulb (sometimes called anise), stalks discarded and bulb chopped
4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
4 cups ">chicken stock or low-sodium chicken broth (32 fl oz)
4 cups water
1 (3- by 2-inch) piece Parmigiano-Reggiano rind
1 Turkish or 1/2 California bay leaf
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 lb Swiss chard (preferably red or rainbow), stems discarded and leaves halved lengthwise, then thinly sliced crosswise
1 teaspoon salt

Directions

  1. Soak beans in cold water to cover by 2 inches in a bowl at room temperature at least 8 hours, or quick-soak (see cooks' note, below). Drain in a colander.
  2. Cook pancetta in oil in a wide 6- to 8-quart heavy pot over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until browned, about 5 minutes. Transfer pancetta with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain.
  3. Cook onion and fennel in oil remaining in pot over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, 6 to 8 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Add beans, stock, water, cheese rind, bay leaf, and pepper and simmer, uncovered, until beans are tender, 45 minutes to 1 hour. Discard cheese rind and bay leaf.
  4. Stir in Swiss chard and salt and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until chard is tender, 8 to 10 minutes. Season soup with salt and pepper.

Tags

    Soup/Stew Bean Leafy Green Pork Low/No Sugar Bacon Fall Winter Chard Gourmet
Go to back to recipes.