Creamy Cannelini Beans & Kale Soup with Herbed Garlic Toast

Creamy Cannelini Beans and Kale Soup

• 1 1/2 cups cannelini beans soaked overnight
• 3 cups water
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 tsp. sea salt
• 2 tbsp. olive oil
• 1 onion, peeled and diced
• 3 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
• 4-5 kale leaves, chopped
• 4 cups water, vegetable or chicken stock
• 1/4 tsp. dried rosemary
• 1 tsp. dried thyme
• Sea salt and black pepper (to taste)

Discard soaking water from beans and cook with 3 cups fresh water.  Bring to a boil and skim off any foam that rises. Add bay leaves, cover and lower heat to simmer for 1 hour and 15 minutes.  Add 1 tsp. sea salt and continue cooking 30 minutes.  In a separate pot, saute onion and garlic in olive oil for 2-3 minutes.  Add kale and cook until wilted.  Add 4 cups chicken stock, rosemary, and thyme.  Add the cooked beans (puree 1/2 the cooked beans in a food processor before adding to the soup pot to achieve a creamy soup consistency). Bring all ingredients to a boil, then lower heat to medium and cook 10-12 minutes.  Season with sea salt and black pepper to taste. Garnish with Herbed Garlic Toast.

Herbed Garlic Toast

• 1 small whole grain baguette
• 2-3 tbsp. olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
• ½ tsp. dried rosemary
• ½ tsp. dried thyme
• ½ tsp. dried oregano
• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Preheat oven to 350°.  Cut whole grain baguette into ½ inch thick round slices.  Put the sliced bread onto a baking sheet and drizzle generously with olive oil.  Sprinkle a little bit of minced garlic, rosemary, thyme and oregano onto the bread.  Season with sea salt and black pepper.  Place into the oven and toast the bread until lightly browned (5-7 minutes).