1cancannellini beans, thoroughly drained and rinsed
1mediumonion, finely diced
2clovesgarlic, minced
1mediumcarrot, peeled and diced
1stalkcelery, diced
5cupsvegetable broth
1candiced tomatoes, with all their juices retained
1teaspoondried sage
1teaspoondried thyme
1teaspoonred pepper flakes
2cupskale, stems removed and roughly chopped
2tablespoonsextra virgin olive oil
to tastesalt and freshly cracked black pepper
for garnishfresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
In a large pot, heat the extra virgin olive oil over medium heat. Once hot, add the diced onion, carrot, and celery. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened and the onion becomes translucent.
Incorporate the minced garlic into the pot, cooking for an additional minute until it releases a fragrant aroma. Stir frequently to prevent burning.
Add the drained cannellini beans and the diced tomatoes (including their juices) into the pot, followed by the vegetable broth. Sprinkle in the dried sage, dried thyme, and red pepper flakes. Stir everything together until well combined.
Increase the heat to bring the soup to a gentle boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and allow it to simmer uncovered for about 20 minutes, letting the robust flavors meld beautifully.
After 20 minutes, add the chopped kale into the soup, stirring gently to incorporate. Continue to cook for another 5 minutes, or until the kale is wilted and tender but still vibrantly green.
Taste the soup and season with salt and freshly cracked black pepper to your liking. Adjust any other seasonings as needed.
Serve the soup hot in bowls, garnished with a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley on top for a burst of color and flavor.
Notes
For an inviting look, drizzle a little extra olive oil on top of the soup before serving, and pair with crusty bread for dipping.