Puréed White Bean Soup

Name: Puréed White Bean Soup
Total time: PT0D0H0M
Yield: serves 4-6
Ingredients: 1 1 ⁄ 2 cups dried zolfini or cannellini beans; 1 sprig fresh sage; 1 sprig fresh rosemary; Salt; Freshly ground white pepper; 6 tbsp. fruity extra-virgin olive oil; 1 slice country bread, cut into 1⁄2" cubes; 1 oz. pancetta, cut into short, thick strips

Serves
serves 4-6

PAOLO DESTEFANIS

In Tuscany, we savored a version of this soup that used sorana beans—rare and expensive, they're hard to find even in Italy. Zolfini or cannellini beans are a fine substitute.

Ingredients

1 ¹⁄₂ cups dried zolfini or cannellini beans
1 sprig fresh sage
1 sprig fresh rosemary
Salt
Freshly ground white pepper
6 tbsp. fruity extra-virgin olive oil
1 slice country bread, cut into 1⁄2" cubes
1 oz. pancetta, cut into short, thick strips

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Instructions

Step 1

Put beans in a large earthenware casserole, cover with cold water, and set aside to soak for at least 4 hours or overnight. Drain; then add, sage, rosemary, and 6 cups cold water, cover, and bring to a simmer over medium heat, about 1⁄2 hour. Season to taste with salt, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon, until bean skins are tender and interiors are soft, about 1-2 hours more.

Step 2

Puree beans along with their cooking liquid in a food processor until smooth. (If puree is too thick, thin with a little water or vegetable broth.) Return soup to casserole, season to taste with salt and pepper, and keep warm.

Step 3

Meanwhile, heat 2 tbsp. of the oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Add bread and pancetta, and fry until bread is golden and pancetta is lightly browned, 6-7 minutes.

Step 4

Ladle soup into bowls, sprinkle with croutons and pancetta, and drizzle soup with remaining 4 tbsp. oil.

Put beans in a large earthenware casserole, cover with cold water, and set aside to soak for at least 4 hours or overnight. Drain; then add, sage, rosemary, and 6 cups cold water, cover, and bring to a simmer over medium heat, about 1⁄2 hour. Season to taste with salt, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon, until bean skins are tender and interiors are soft, about 1-2 hours more.
Puree beans along with their cooking liquid in a food processor until smooth. (If puree is too thick, thin with a little water or vegetable broth.) Return soup to casserole, season to taste with salt and pepper, and keep warm.
Meanwhile, heat 2 tbsp. of the oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Add bread and pancetta, and fry until bread is golden and pancetta is lightly browned, 6-7 minutes.
Ladle soup into bowls, sprinkle with croutons and pancetta, and drizzle soup with remaining 4 tbsp. oil.