White Bean Soup with Bacon and Escarole

White Bean Soup with Bacon and Escarole

INGREDIENTS

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 10 ounces slab bacon, cut into 3/4-inch cubes
• 2 medium onions (about 6 ounces each), finely chopped
• 1 large shallot, finely chopped
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 2 quarts homemade or low-sodium store-bought chicken stock
• 4- 15 oz. cans OR 1 pound dried white beans, soaked overnight, drained, and rinsed
• 3 large thyme sprigs
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
• 1 head escarole, cut crosswise into strips

DIRECTIONS

Heat oil in a large, heavy saucepan over medium heat until hot but not smoking. Add bacon, and cook, stirring occasionally, until crisp, about 12 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to a plate.

Add onions and shallot to pan; cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are translucent and soft, about 8 minutes. Add garlic; cook 1 minute more.

Return bacon to pan. Stir in stock, beans, thyme, cayenne, and 1 teaspoon salt; season with pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover, and simmer 30 minutes. Uncover, and cook until beans are tender, about 1 1/2 hours more if using dried beans or cook 10 minutes more if using canned beans.

Stir in escarole. Cook 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

[print-me target=”.post-content”]