Spicy Tuscan white bean soup!
I made this the other day and posted on Facebook and you asked for the recipe so here it is! Fall is my favorite time to cook! I don't consider myself a very good cook but I do pay special attention to the ingredients that I am putting into the meals I do make.
My favorite way to cook is to make 1 pot meals. You will see a lot of those come from me especially this time of year.
This is a dish I have been making my family for years and it's always a hit when I do. With a spicy warmth to it and the heaviness of comfort foot but with a lightness of the natural ingredients it is a well balanced hearty yet healthy meal.
What you will need:
4 cups organic dry white beans
4 uncooked italian sausages (pork, chicken, or turkey) in casings
2 cups organic cherry tomatoes quartered
16 large sage leaves
2 bay leaves
5 large cloves of garlic chopped
1 tomato cut in half and cored
3-4 cups homemade roasted chicken stock (see recipe here)
1/2 cup organic good quality olive oil
2 TSP crushed red peppers
salt and pepper
fresh parmesan cheese
How to make:
Rinse beans and pick out any debris, rocks, etc. Put in large stock pot and cover with 8 cups cold water. Cover and let sit overnight. For quick soaking beans you can bring to boil take off heat cover and let sit for 2 hours before cooking. drain rinse and put back in stock pot.
Cover pre-soaked drained and rinsed beans in 7-8 cups cold filtered water and bring to boil. Reduce heat and add whole tomato cut in half and 6 whole large sage leaves and 2 bay leaves simmering on low until beans are tender about 2 hours.
When beans are tender remove tomato, sage and bay leaves and drain and set aside.
Re-heat stock pot on medium heat and squeeze sausage out from casings into pan and brown creating large crumbles or chunks. Remove sausage once cooked all the way through and set aside with beans.
Re-heat stock pot and heat 1/2 cup olive oil over medium heat then add garlic chopped remaining sage leaves, cherry tomatoes, and crushed red peppers. sauté until tomatoes and garlic soften.
Add sausage, beans, and chicken broth to the sautéed mixture and simmer on medium low for another 15-20 minutes. salt and pepper to taste.
Spoon into bowls and top with fresh shredded parmesan cheese.
For variations you can try adding other vegetables or adding greens like spinach, kale, or chard.
Enjoy!
As always....in good health and happiness,
Brandy Augustine PhD