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.

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

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Directions

PREP TIME

MINS

COOKING TIME

MINS

Serves

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:

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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