Escarole & White Bean Soup

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
• 1/2 cup finely chopped celery
• 1/2 cup finely chopped carrot
• 1/4 cup chopped garlic
• 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, or 1 tablespoon each chopped fresh basil and oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• 2 14-ounce cans vegetable broth, or reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 2 15-ounce cans cannellini beans, rinsed
• 1 head escarole*, chopped
• 1/2 cup freshly shredded hard Italian cheese, such as Parmesan, Romano or Asiago

* If you can't find it, substitute a 10-ounce bag of spinach.

Directions

Heat oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion, tomatoes, celery, carrot, garlic, Italian seasoning and pepper and cook, stirring often, until the vegetables are beginning to soften and the onion is translucent, about 10 minutes. Add broth, bring to a simmer, and cook, stirring often, until the vegetables are tender. Stir in beans and escarole and cook, stirring often, until the escarole is just tender, about 5 minutes. Serve with a sprinkle of cheese.

Source: Escarole & White Bean Soup