White Bean and Chorizo Soup with Crostini

This rustic soup is brimming with fresh veggies, including fennel, one of my absolute favorites for soup. When I make this soup, I always make a double batch. It’s true, some soups are betterthe next day.
This rustic soup is brimming with fresh veggies, including fennel, one of my absolute favourites for soup. When I make this soup, I always make a double batch. It’s true, some soups are better the next day.

Ingredients

3 tablespoons olive oil

6 ounces smoked Spanish chorizo links, casings removed, halved lengthwise and cut into 1/4-inch-thick half-moons

1 yellow onion, finely chopped

2 carrots, cut into 1/2-inch-thick rounds

2 celery ribs, cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices

2 small fennel bulbs, trimmed and cut into 1/2-inch pieces (about 2 cups)

4 garlic cloves, finely chopped

2 large sprigs of fresh thyme

1 sprig of fresh rosemary

3/4 cup dry white wine

6 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Two 15-ounce cans small white beans, drained and rinsed (about 3 cups)

1/2 demi-baguette, cut on a diagonal into 1/2-inch-thick slices

Extra-virgin olive oil, for serving

3 tablespoons olive oil

180g smoked Spanish chorizo sausage, casings removed, halved lengthwise and cut into 5mm- thick half-moons

1 brown onion, finely chopped

2 carrots, cut into 1cm-thick rounds

2 celery stalks, cut into 1cm-thick slices

2 small fennel bulbs, trimmed and cut into 1cm pieces (about 2 cups

4 garlic cloves, finely chopped

2 large sprigs of fresh thyme

1 sprig of fresh rosemary


3/4 cup dry white wine

6 cups reduced-sodium chicken stock

Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Two 400g cans small white beans, drained and rinsed (about 3 cups)

1/2 half-baguette, cut on a diagonal into 1cm-thick slices

Extra-virgin olive oil, for serving

Directions

PREP TIME
10
MINS
COOKING TIME
50
MINS
Serves
6
Make-Ahead:
This soup can be made up to 1 day ahead, cooled, covered, and refrigerated. Rewarm the soup, covered, over medium heat, adding more chicken stock or water to thin the soup to the desired consistency, if necessary.
Make-Ahead:
This soup can be made up to 1 day ahead, cooled, covered, and refrigerated. Rewarm the soup, covered, over medium heat, adding more chicken stock or water to thin the soup to the desired consistency, if necessary.
1

Heat a large heavy pot over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon of the olive oil, then add thechorizo and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes, or until browned. Add the onions and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes, or until tender. Add the carrots, celery, fennel, garlic, thyme, and rosemary and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes, or until the vegetables begin to soften. Add the wine and bring to a simmer. Stir in the broth and season to taste with salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, uncovered, for about 20 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.

2

Stir in the beans and simmer gently for about 10 minutes to blend the flavors. Remove and discard the thyme and rosemary stems.

3

Meanwhile, brush the baguette slices with the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Toast in a toaster oven until golden brown, about 5 minutes.

4

Ladle the soup into four soup bowls. Drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil and serve with the crostini.

1

Heat a large heavy pot over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon of the olive oil, then add the chorizo and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes, or until browned. Add the onions and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes, or until tender. Add the carrots, celery, fennel, garlic, thyme, and rosemary and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes, or until the vegetables begin to soften. Add the wine and bring to a simmer. Stir in the stock and season to taste with salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, uncovered, for about 20 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.

2

Stir in the beans and simmer gently for about 10 minutes to blend the flavours. Remove and discard the thyme and rosemary stems.

3

Meanwhile, brush the baguette slices with the remaining olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Toast under a grill until golden brown, about 5 minutes.

4

Ladle the soup into four soup bowls. Drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil and serve with the crostini.