I joined a new online community some bloggers may be familiar with, The Southern C. It is an online community where southerners (or just those who love the South!) can connect, and collaborate about different things such as food, favorite areas of the south, magazines, and everything in between. They are located in south GA. Reading through the website makes me homesick for my southern roots. Before I moved back to Tennessee in November 2011 I lived in South GA. for 4 years. It quickly became my home, my first real home of my own. We had two of our children there, bought our first house, and grew our roots. I adore that small town area and miss it dearly. I miss the warmth, the beautiful landscapes of southern sunset and mossy draped trees. Not to mention the sweet tea! Boy you never know the things you take for granted until you no longer have them anymore! I moved here to Virginia November 1st of 2012 I instantly noticed the difference in everything but it really hit me when I ordered my first sweet tea and it was anything but sweet. My southern foodies can vouch for me when I say McDonald's is the HOME of the SWEETEST sweet tea, you can guarantee it will be sweet enough for you if you get it from them. Not the case in this area that's where I ordered the "sweet tea" from and it was just terrible. Actually, I have tried to order sweet tea since at different places when we are out to dinner or lunch, and have been told they do not have it! That is just crazy to me lol. I do hope to go back to that area one day and call it home again, the south is my home and my roots.
Good news is I have had TWO goodie basket orders for the Building Bridges Benefit! I know that isn't a lot of orders to many people, but for me to just be starting out I'm thankful to have them. I'm running the menu's for the benefit through out the month of March so I'm hoping to have more in that time. Be sure to check out those menu's on my country mom chef facebook page and be apart of helping that family!
Well! Here is the recipe for the soup, I hope you all have the chance to make it. To round out this meal serve with cheese and a crusty bread!
Creamy Italian White-Bean Soup
Makes about 6 cups or 4 main dish servings
Be sure to gather all your ingredients:
1 tblsp olive oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 medium celery stalk, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
2 cans white kidney beans (cannelloni), rinsed and drained
1 can (13 3/4 to 14.5 oz.) chicken broth
1/4 teasp coarsely ground black pepper
1/8 teasp fried thyme leaves
1 bunch (10-12 oz) spinach
1 tblsp fresh lemon juice
freshly grated parm cheese (optional)
1. In a 3-qt saucepan, heat oil over medium heat until hot. Add onion and celery and cook 5-8 minutes until tender, stirring occasionally. Add garlic; cook 30 seconds stirring. Add beans, chicken broth, pepper, thyme, and 2 cups water; heat to boiling over high heat. Reduce heat to low simmer uncovered for 15 minutes.
2. Meanwhite, discard tough stems from spinach; thinly slice leaves.
3. With slotted spoon, remove 2 cups bean and vegetable mixture from soup; set aside. In blender at low speed, with center part of cover removed to allow steam to escape, blend remaining soup in small batches until smooth. Pour pureed into large bowl after each batch.
4. Return soup to sauce pan stir in reserved beans and vegetables. Heat to boiling over high heat. Sitting occasionally. Stir in spinach and cook 1 minute or until wilted. Stir in lemon juice and remove from heat. Serve with parm cheese garnish if you would like.
I have been looking for a recipe for white bean soup of some sort, and this really fills the bill. I'm going to have to try this recipe. It looks great! I'll let you know how it goes! : )
ReplyDeleteYou will love it! To make more just double the recipe. Next time I make it I'm doubling and adding carrots! And a good loaf of Italian bread. :)
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