White Bean Soup with Kale

Name: White Bean Soup with Kale
Yield: serves 6 to 8
Ingredients: 1 pound dried white beans, such as Great Northern, cannellini, or navy; 3 tablespoons olive oil; 1 large onion, chopped; 2 leeks, white and pale-green parts only, sliced (about 1 cup); 1 large tomato, seeded and chopped; 1 large carrot, chopped; 2 celery stalks, chopped; 8 garlic cloves, finely chopped; 3 strips thick-sliced bacon, chopped; 8 cups Chicken Stock (page 28); 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme leaves; 1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary leaves; 2 cups water; 1 pound kale, stems and center ribs discarded, leaves coarsely chopped; Kosher salt; Freshly ground black pepper; Hot sauce

December 9, 2011

Pat: Creamy, smoky white beans, simmered with some kind of pork fat, are a Southern staple, especially when served with a wedge of warm cornbread. This white-bean soup is finished with kale, a nourishing green that’s packed with vitamins A and C (the leaves are so pretty that Gina uses the green and purple varieties to decorate her party trays). Smoked sausage makes a great addition to this soup, and what we do then is leave out the bacon and add 1/2 pound of sliced smoked sausage instead. (You’ve heard the expression “an eye for an eye” in Memphis we say “a pig for a pig.”)

Cooks' Note

Like most soups, this one is best if made 1 or 2 days ahead. Cool completely, uncovered, then chill, covered. When reheating, thin the soup with a little water if necessary.

Recipe notes

Caramelized Onion Pasta

Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.

Vodka Gochujang Pasta

This pasta has some really big energy about it. It’s so extra, it’s the type of thing you should be eating in your bikini while drinking a magnum of rosé, not in Hebden Bridge (or wherever you live), but on a beach on Mykonos.

Our Favorite French Onion Soup

Caramelized onions, melty Gruyère, and a deeply savory broth deliver the kind of comfort that doesn’t need improving.

Smothered Italian Sausage

This is what I call a fridge-eater recipe. The key here is getting a nice sear on the sausage and cooking the tomato down until it coats the sausage and vegetables well.

Béchamel Sauce

This classic 15-minute sauce is your secret weapon for homemade mac and cheese, chowder, lasagna, and more.

White Bean Turkey Chili

A dash of cocoa powder adds depth and richness to the broth of this easy turkey chili.

Golden Mushroom Soup With Orzo & a Pat of Butter

This is the type of soup that, at first glance, might seem a little…unexciting. But you’re underestimating the power of mushrooms, which do the heavy lifting.

Baked Butter Paneer

I should address the awkward truth that I don’t use butter here but cream instead. You could, if you’re a stickler for tradition (and not a heretic like me), add a big slab of butter to the finished curry.