White Bean Soup and Wilted Spinach
This satisfying soup reminds me of our travels to the northern and central region of Italy. I enjoy making this meal from time to time with a bit of Tuscan flair. A highly nourishing nutritious meal that is full of flavor and tasty for the whole family or a big gathering.
Slow cooked soups are the best. Just simply delicious meals without any fuss and so much versatility. Endless creativity in the kitchen from meals to side dishes and desserts. There isn’t any extra work involved or the constant stirring like with many of over the stove pot meals. It’s just a matter of combining lovely flavors of marriage in one pot. There is no limit of what you can do with your crock pot. Just get creative and have fun in the kitchen. And the best part about this soup is how it can be served in almost any kind of weather.
SERVES: 6-8
INGREDIENTS:
2 tbsp olive oil
1 onion, medium
1 red pepper, diced
3 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
dash, sea salt
dash, black pepper
1-2 tsp oregano, dried
16 ounce white beans
3 cups beef broth, low sodium, organic
2 cups filtered water
1-2 cups salami, whole, sliced and quartered
handful basil, fresh
handful, spinach, organic
INSTRUCTIONS:
In a large saucepan, heat the olive oil. Add the onions and red pepper; let cook until softened and fragrant about 3-4 minutes. Add the garlic; let cook until fragrant while stirring to reduce any burning. Add the seasonings of salt, pepper and oregano; mix until combined and let cook for another minute or two until fragrant. Remove from stove and set aside.
In the crock pot, add the prepared beans to the pot. Add the sauteed mixture next; mix well. Add the broth, water and salami and combine well. Cover and set on low for 6-8 hours. About a half hour prior add in the fresh basil and spinach to the soup.
When ready, immediately serve in decorative bowls. You may garnish with extra herbs. Enjoy.
NUTRITIONAL CONTENT: calories 299; total fat 3.0g; sodium 400mg; potassium 1530mg; total carbohydrates 49g; dietary fiber 12g; sugars 3.7g; protein 20g; vitamin A14%; calcium 20%; vitamin C 66%; Iron 47%. This is low in saturated fat, no cholesterol, high in dietary fiber, iron, manganese, magnesium and potassium and very high in vitamin C type of soup.