Soup Recipes » Bean Soup » Tuscan Bean Soup with Swiss Chard and Tomatoes

Tuscan Bean Soup with Swiss Chard and Tomatoes

Sautéed chopped onion and minced garlic is combined with Swiss chard, chicken broth, chopped tomatoes, sliced carrot, rosemary, and fresh ground black pepper. Soup is simmered over low to soften Swiss chard. Cannellini beans, orzo pasta, chopped fresh parsley and reserved Swiss chard tops are stirred in and soup is simmered another 10 minutes to heat through and blend flavors. Individual servings of soup topped with grated fresh Parmesan cheese.

Ingredients -

1 bunch (1 pound) Swiss Chard or Escarole, sliced into 1/4-inch stalks
1 tablespoon Olive Oil
1 cup chopped Onions
1 tablespoon minced Garlic
3 (10-1/2 ounces) cans Chicken Broth and 1-1/2 cans Water
1 (14 ounces) can Tomatoes, chopped (no juice)
2 Carrots, sliced
1/2 teaspoon Rosemary
1/4 teaspoon Fresh Ground Black Pepper
1 (16 ounces) can Cannellini Beans, drained
1/4 cup Uncooked Orzo Pasta
1/4 cup chopped Fresh Parsley
Grated Parmesan Cheese

Preparation:

1. Remove the tops of the Swiss chard and set aside.

2. Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.

3. Add the onions and cook until softened, which takes about 3 minutes.

4. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, which takes about 30 seconds.

5. Add the Swiss chard, broth, tomatoes, carrots, rosemary and black pepper.

6. Bring the mixture to a boil.

7. Reduce the heat and simmer for an additional 10 minutes.

8. Add the beans, noodles, parsley and reserved Swiss chard tops.

9. Return the pot to a boil.

10. Reduce the heat and simmer for 10 more minutes.

11. Serve garnished with grated Parmesan cheese and Italian bread.

Soup Making Tips -
Garlic

	When preparing recipes like garlic soup that call for large quantities of garlic, speed the peeling process by dropping the separated cloves into a pot of boiling water for 10-20 seconds. Remove the garlic and quickly dip into a bowl or pot of cold water. Rub the skins between two fingers to make them fall away with ease.

Soup Making Tips -
Storage Onions

	Storage onions are extremely versatile. They have a strong onion flavor that holds up well in long-cooking dishes like casseroles, sauces, soups, stews and quiches. They have a lower moisture content than either green onions or fresh onions, making them perfect for baking, frying or sautéing. The intense flavor of storage onions makes them the ideal choice for onion lovers.

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