Recipe: Broccoli, Bean and Leek Soup

This recipe makes for a delicious, filling soup. Leeks are in the same family as onions, but have a mild flavor that complements the other ingredients without overpowering them.

This recipe can be made without oil by slowly cooking onions and garlic in a covered pot until the onions are translucent. Also, you can substitute frozen broccoli if fresh is unavailable. Additionally, cannellini beans can be easily substituted with navy, great northern or even garbanzo beans.

Ingredients

2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
2 cup sweet onion, diced small
2 teaspoon fresh garlic, minced
1 cup leeks, white part only, medium dice (about 1 leek)
5 cups vegetable stock
1½ cups cannellini beans, or one 16-ounce can of cannellini beans, rinsed
1 lb broccoli florets
1 teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper

Instructions

1. In a four-quart, pot sauté the onions on medium heat in olive oil until transparent.
2. Add garlic and cook without browning while stirring frequently, about 2 minutes.
3. Add the diced leeks and sauté 2 minutes.
4. Add the vegetable stock, increase heat and bring to a simmer.
5. Add the cannellini beans and broccoli florets or two 10-ounce packages of frozen broccoli florets and simmer on medium heat until broccoli is lightly cooked but still crunchy.
6. Add salt and pepper, turn off the heat and blend with an immersion blender until completely pureed.

Nutrition information per serving

Makes 10 1-cup servings
Calories 80
Sodium 360 mg
Sugars 3 g
Cholesterol 0 mg
Saturated fat 0 g
Fiber 4 g
Protein: 4 g
Carbohydrates 13 g