Recipe: Italian Broccoli Bean Soup

Let's do a straight recipe today - Broccoli Bean soup!

Ingredients:

- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 medium onion
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Broccoli (including peeled stems)
- Cranberry Beans

Process:

Add olive oil to a large stock pot and saute diced onion and garlic for about 10 minutes.  Add 2 cups of fresh cranberry beans (canned beans are convenient but the texture, flavor, and quality is not as good as fresh beans) and 6 cups of water.  Cook until the beans are tender (about 1 - 1 1/2 hours).  Add Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper to taste.  Next, add about 4 cups of steamed broccoli and cook for 8-10 minutes.  Puree the mixture using a hand blender.  Add grated cheese, a splash of fresh extra virgin olive oil, and a bit of fresh parsley.













The soup pairs well with a glass of Ciro Librandi Bianco from Calabria.