QUICK TUSCAN BEAN SOUP

There’s nothing like a steaming bowl of hot soup to warm you on a cold autumn or winter evening. This soup is made with canned beans instead of dried beans, making it quick and easy to prepare. Any variety of white canned beans will be great with this soup, from the smaller navy bean to the medium great northern bean and the larger cannellini bean. You can omit the pancetta in this recipe, if you prefer.

2 oz pancetta, finely diced 

2 T extra-light olive oil
1 large yellow onion, diced
1 to 2 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
2 sprigs fresh thyme, tied together with cotton butcher’s twine or 1 t dried thyme

2 bay leaves
8 cups chicken stock
3 (14 oz) cans of any white beans, drained in a mesh colander and rinsed

1 (3-inch) piece Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese rind

Salt and freshly ground black pepper 

Chopped Italian parsley, for garnish
Freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese 

Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling

In a large pot or Dutch oven, fry the pancetta over medium heat until golden. 

Pour off most of the grease and discard.
Add the oil to the pot and sauté the onion until soft and translucent, about 10 minutes. 

Add garlic and sauté another minute.
Add the thyme sprigs, bay leaves, chicken stock, beans, and cheese rind.
Season to taste with salt and pepper and simmer for about 25 minutes.

Remove the thyme sprigs, bay leaves, and cheese rind. 

Ladle soup into bowls and sprinkle with parsley.

Serve with grated Parmigiano cheese and a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil.

Serves 4 to 6