FRUGAL BUT FABULOUS SPINACH, WHITE BEAN & RICE POTAGE: vegan base, frugal, easy prep,Archive

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This is the perfect soup for the end of the month: a simple, no-nonsense, spectacularly tasty,  stick-to-the-ribs satisfying meal...

first posted 4/15; updated 3/23

Healthy 'Gosh I'm hungry after working all day!' soup; 30 mins prep
'...unbelievably good, not at all stodgy or heavy.  I loved it
 thick and chunky AND smooth.' Taster

It's also budget- friendly and packed with nutrients, made from mostly cupboard ingredients.  Better still, it can be part-prepared the night before, saving you even more time before a bowlful hits the table. 

First posted in 2015, the delicious soup stands the test of time;  67 makes no apologies for re-reposting it as families struggle with family food budgets. 

Have it for dinner or lunch or transport it to the office in a thermos.  Blitzed and served in small cups, the soup also makes a warming 'welcome!' to a party.  

Cost: min £3.00'ish (3/23)

Feeds: 5-6

Ingred:
   2-3 tbsp good olive oil (don't skimp; it really makes the soup more flavoursome)
   med onion, peeled & diced
   3 cloves garlic, peeled & grated 
   1/3-1/2 tsp dried thyme
   1/3-1/2 tsp dried basil 
   
   4 cups good veg stock (granules are fine) 
   
   2 bay leaves
   1 cup cooked brown rice OR 2/3 cup washed drained easy-cook white rice OR orzo pasta 

   2 mugs packed spinach, washed, grotty stems and leaves removed
   425gm/15oz tin cannelloni beans (organic have best texture) rinsed thoroughly and drained

  1 cup water
  
  juice lemon or lime
  pepper & salt to taste
   
  Garnish: croutons

Method:

1. Heat a large heavy-bottomed pan on med; when hot, add olive oil
2. Add onion, cook 2-3 mins, stirring frequently; until translucent but not brown; add garlic, thyme & basil, stir a min until fragrant
3. Add stock and bay leaves, bring to a boil (At this stage, the mix can be cooled and refrigerated.)
4. When ready to proceed, add rice, turn heat to med, simmer 12 mins
5. Stir in spinach, beans & lemon juice; after 2 mins, spinach should be wilted
6. If mix is too thick for your taste, add up to 1 cup water
7. Remove bay leaves;  season with pepper & salt 
8. The soup is perfect as it is but is equally tasty blitzed in a smoothie maker 

   

   Pureed Spinach & White Bean Soup
   with Fried Toast Croutons

   .
9. Garnish with chopped chives and/or Memorable Crunchy Croutons 

Comments:
'This was unbelievably good, not at all stodgy or heavy.  I loved it both ways - thick and chunky AND smooth.   No problem having this again.' Retired writer.

Tips:

• The longer it sits; the better it tastes but also the more it absorbs liquid; add water accordingly
• Garnishes for non-vegetarians:  crisply fried bacon, shredded cooked chicken 

Adapted from DamnDelicious

This recipe has been adapted  by B  Lee/ Bright Sun Enterprises and may not be reproduced, in any form, without the author's written permission.