author: francineandrebecca
created: 2004-10-11 15:59:10
servings:
notes:
From Bon Appetit from March 2003. This is Francine's favorite winter soup. And it's an great way to use up all those leftover parmesan rinds. To quote the magazine: "This hearty soup makes delicious use of the flavorful 1/4-inch-thick rinds that remain after wedges of Parmesan have been grated away; they infuse the soup with a nice salty bite as it simmers."
recipe:
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil plus additional oil for garnish 1 large onions, finely chopped (about 2 cups) 1 large carrot, finely chopped (about 1 cup) 1 large celery stalk, finely chopped (about 2/3 cup) 3 15-ounce cans cannellini (white kidney beans), drained 6 cups low-salt chicken broth 2 teaspoons minced fresh sage 2 2x2-inch Parmesan cheese rinds 3 ounces thinly sliced prosciutto, chopped Freshly grated Parmesan cheese Heat 3 tablespoons oil in heavy large pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrot, and celery and sauté until vegetables are soft, about 10 minutes. Add beans, broth, sage, Parmesan rinds, and prosciutto; simmer over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until flavors blend and soup thickens slightly, about 40 minutes. Using tongs, remove cheese rinds. Puree about 5 cups soup in processor and return to pot. Season with salt and pepper. (Soup can be made 2 days ahead. Refrigerate uncovered until cold, then cover and keep refrigerated. Rewarm before serving.) Ladle soup into bowls and serve, passing grated Parmesan cheese and additional olive oil separately. Makes 6 to 8 servings.