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| White Bean Soup: Tummy & wallet soothing, for vegans, vegetarians or carnivores (This one with vegan 'bacon bits' and chives) |
67 makes no apologies for re-posting this recipe from 2017 because White Bean Soup is the perfect dish for money-conscious times.
It's comforting, healthy, high in protein but wallet-friendly. The small effort required to put the soup together is strangely comforting and more than repays the effort.
The recipe is ever-adaptable, providing a thick satisfying main course or a silky sensational first course. It can be served on its own or with added vegetables or shredded protein -- lots of stress-free variations.
Ideally one would use reconstituted dried white beans (see Cook Clever with Pulses) but tinned are also fine.
Cost: £2'ish (9/2025)
Feeds: 4-6; recipe easily doubles
Ingred:
2 tbsp good olive oil
1 yellow onion (about 1 coffee mug), finely diced or lightly processed
a couple of carrots (a generous half mug), finely diced or lightly processed
2 sticks celery in med dice (a generous half mug)
generous 2 tbsp fresh chopped parsley
1 small clove garlic, minced or grated
1 tbsp fresh or 1/3 tbsp dried rosemary
1 tbsp fresh or 1/3 tbsp dried thyme
3 cups good stock (veggie for vegetarians but chicken is fine for carnivores)
240 gm reconstituted dried white beans, cooked and drained OR drained, rinsed tinned white beans
3-4 tbsp grated parmesan (opt)
Garnishes:
Vegan alternative to Bacon Bits
1/3 cup wholemeal breadcrumbs (spelt for wheat-free)
olive oil
1/2-1 tsp salt
1 tsp smoked paprika
The recipe is ever-adaptable, providing a thick satisfying main course or a silky sensational first course. It can be served on its own or with added vegetables or shredded protein -- lots of stress-free variations.
Ideally one would use reconstituted dried white beans (see Cook Clever with Pulses) but tinned are also fine.
Cost: £2'ish (9/2025)
Feeds: 4-6; recipe easily doubles
Ingred:
2 tbsp good olive oil
1 yellow onion (about 1 coffee mug), finely diced or lightly processed
a couple of carrots (a generous half mug), finely diced or lightly processed
2 sticks celery in med dice (a generous half mug)
generous 2 tbsp fresh chopped parsley
1 small clove garlic, minced or grated
1 tbsp fresh or 1/3 tbsp dried rosemary
1 tbsp fresh or 1/3 tbsp dried thyme
3 cups good stock (veggie for vegetarians but chicken is fine for carnivores)
240 gm reconstituted dried white beans, cooked and drained OR drained, rinsed tinned white beans
3-4 tbsp grated parmesan (opt)
Garnishes:
Vegan alternative to Bacon Bits
1/3 cup wholemeal breadcrumbs (spelt for wheat-free)
olive oil
1/2-1 tsp salt
1 tsp smoked paprika
Fried gently in olive oil until crispy and gorgeous smelling
garnished with finely chopped fresh chives or spring onions
garnished with finely chopped fresh chives or spring onions
OR
Method:
- goats cheese or feta
- crispy bacon bits
- 0-fat strained yoghurt
- raw spinach, French beans, tender stem broccoli
- shredded ham hock or chicken, tiny raw meatballs of beef, pork or minced chicken
Method:
