Hearty Three-Bean Vegetable Delight
This Hearty Three-Bean Vegetable Delight is the perfect blend of flavors, textures, and nutrition. Packed with three types of beans, a medley of fresh vegetables, and aromatic herbs, this soup not only warms you up but also nourishes your body. Ideal for chilly days or as a comforting meal, this recipe serves a crowd, making it perfect for family dinners or gatherings. Enjoy a bowl topped with freshly grated Parmesan, a dollop of sour cream, and a sprinkle of diced tomatoes for a flavorful finish!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
18
Ingredients
Ingredients
dried pinto beans
1 cup (rinsed)
dried red kidney beans
1 cup (rinsed)
dried small white beans
1 cup (rinsed)
olive oil
3 teaspoons
medium onions
2 (finely chopped)
celery ribs
2 (finely chopped)
medium carrots
2 (pared and finely chopped)
chicken broth
46 ounces (canned)
water
4 cups
plum tomatoes
16 ounces (drained, seeded, coarsely chopped)
garlic cloves
3 (minced)
fresh parsley
1/2 cup (finely chopped)
bay leaf
1
salt
to taste
black pepper
to taste (freshly ground)
Parmesan cheese
to garnish (freshly grated)
sour cream
to garnish
medium tomatoes
1 (diced, for garnish)
Instructions
1
Begin by soaking the dried beans overnight in plenty of cold water. If you're short on time, you can also boil the beans for 2 minutes, then cover and let them sit for 1 hour before draining.
2
In a large Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onions and sauté until they become translucent and softened, about 5-7 minutes.
3
Add the chopped celery and carrots to the pot, stirring well. Cook for an additional 3-4 minutes to soften the vegetables further.
4
Pour in the chicken broth and water, then add the drained beans, chopped tomatoes, minced garlic, 1/4 cup of fresh parsley, and the bay leaf. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, then lower the heat and allow it to simmer uncovered for about 1 hour, or until the beans are tender. Remove the bay leaf before blending.
5
For a creamy texture, carefully puree half of the soup in a food processor or a blender, then return it to the pot. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Stir in the remaining 1/4 cup of fresh parsley just before serving.
6
Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese, a dollop of sour cream, and diced tomatoes for an extra pop of flavor. Serve hot and enjoy every hearty spoonful!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hearty Three-Bean Vegetable Delight?
It is a nutritious soup featuring three types of beans, a medley of fresh vegetables, and aromatic herbs, designed to be healthy and comforting.
Which three types of beans are used in this recipe?
The recipe uses one cup each of dried pinto beans, dried red kidney beans, and dried small white beans.
How do I prepare the dried beans before cooking?
You should soak the dried beans overnight in cold water, or use the quick method of boiling them for 2 minutes and letting them sit for 1 hour before draining.
What vegetables are included in the soup base?
The soup base includes finely chopped onions, celery ribs, pared and chopped carrots, and plum tomatoes.
What kind of oil should I use for sautéing?
The recipe calls for 3 teaspoons of olive oil to sauté the onions.
How long should I sauté the onions?
Sauté the finely chopped onions for 5-7 minutes until they are translucent and softened.
When should I add the celery and carrots?
Add the celery and carrots to the Dutch oven after the onions have softened, and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes.
What liquid base is used for this soup?
The soup uses a combination of 46 ounces of canned chicken broth and 4 cups of water.
How long does the soup need to simmer?
Once the mixture reaches a rolling boil, lower the heat and simmer uncovered for about 1 hour.
How do I know when the soup is finished simmering?
The soup is ready when the beans are tender, which typically takes about an hour of simmering.
When should the bay leaf be removed?
The bay leaf should be removed from the pot after simmering is complete and before you begin the blending process.
How can I make the soup have a creamy texture?
To achieve a creamy texture, carefully puree half of the soup in a food processor or blender, then return it to the pot.
How much of the soup should be pureed?
The recipe recommends pureeing exactly half of the soup to balance creaminess with the texture of the whole beans and vegetables.
What type of tomatoes are used in the soup mixture?
The recipe uses 16 ounces of canned plum tomatoes that have been drained, seeded, and coarsely chopped.
How many garlic cloves are required?
The recipe requires 3 minced garlic cloves.
When do I add the fresh parsley?
Add 1/4 cup of parsley during the initial boil and the remaining 1/4 cup just before serving.
Is this soup recipe gluten-free?
Yes, based on the ingredients provided, this recipe is naturally gluten-free.
Can I make this soup vegetarian?
Yes, while the recipe lists chicken broth, you can easily substitute it with vegetable broth to make it fully vegetarian.
What are the recommended garnishes for this soup?
Garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese, a dollop of sour cream, and diced tomatoes.
Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?
Yes, it is tagged as a meal prep recipe and serves a large crowd, making it ideal for planning ahead.
What type of cooking vessel is recommended?
A large Dutch oven is recommended for preparing this soup.
How do I prepare the carrots for this recipe?
The carrots should be pared (peeled) and then finely chopped.
Does the soup simmer covered or uncovered?
The instructions specify to simmer the soup uncovered for about 1 hour.
What is the total amount of dried beans used?
The recipe uses a total of 3 cups of dried beans (1 cup each of three different varieties).
How do I season the soup?
Season the soup to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper after the pureeing step.
Is this a low-fat meal?
Yes, this recipe is categorized as a low-fat healthy living option.
Can I use fresh tomatoes for the garnish?
Yes, the recipe suggests using one medium fresh tomato, diced, specifically for the garnish.
What aromatics are used in this soup?
Onions, garlic, celery, and fresh parsley serve as the primary aromatics.
How should I serve the final dish?
Ladle the soup hot into bowls and add the suggested garnishes for an extra pop of flavor.
Is this recipe good for cold weather?
Yes, it is described as a comforting meal that is ideal for chilly days.