Sopa cremosa de tomate y alubias

Ingredientes

• 2 tbsp butter, unsalted
• 1 onion, finely chopped (brown, yellow, or white)
• 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1 large carrot, peeled and finely chopped
• 1 1/2 tsp Italian herb mix (or dried oregano, thyme, parsley, basil, or mixed herbs)
• 3/4 cup (170g) tomato paste
• 1/2 cup (125ml) dry white wine (optional)
• 4 cups (1 litre) low sodium chicken or vegetable stock/broth
• 3 x 420g (15oz) cans cannellini or any white beans, drained and rinsed (or 2 cups dried beans, 5.5 cups cooked)
• 1/2 cup (50g) parmesan, grated
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 120 g (4oz) baby spinach (or 5–6 cups any other leafy greens or 4 cups diced vegetables)
• 3/4 cup (185ml) heavy/thickened cream (optional, can substitute with more butter)

Preparación

1. 1

   Melt Butter and Cook Vegetables: Melt the butter in a pot over medium-high heat. Add the garlic, onion, and carrot and cook for 5 minutes until the carrot softens and sweetens. About 3 minutes into cooking, add the Italian herb mix to bloom the herbs with the onion and carrot.

2. 2

   Add Tomato Paste: Increase the heat to high and add the tomato paste. Cook for 2 minutes to remove the raw tomato flavor.

3. 3

   Add White Wine: Pour in the white wine if using, and cook for 3 minutes until the strong wine aroma evaporates, leaving the rich tomato flavor from the paste.

4. 4

   Add Beans, Stock, and Seasonings: Add half a cup of the beans to thicken the soup, then pour in the stock, parmesan, salt, and pepper. Stir well, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.

5. 5

   Puree Soup Smooth: Use a stick blender to puree the soup until smooth. Alternatively, transfer the soup to a blender to puree and return it to the pot.

6. 6

   Add Remaining Beans and Spinach: Stir in the remaining beans and simmer for another 3 minutes. Then stir in the baby spinach until it wilts.

7. 7

   Finish with Cream and Adjust Seasoning: Stir in the cream if using. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed, considering canned beans may be salty.

8. 8

   Serve the creamy tomato bean soup hot with crusty bread for dunking.