Creamy Garlic and Herb White Bean Soup
This Creamy Garlic and Herb White Bean Soup is a delightful, heartwarming dish perfect for garlic lovers. Packed with nutritious great northern beans, fresh vegetables, and a symphony of aromatic herbs, this fat-free soup offers a comforting bowl of goodness that's perfect for any occasion. The roasted garlic adds a rich depth of flavor to the broth, while the hints of rosemary and thyme elevate the taste to new heights. The aroma wafting through your kitchen will beckon everyone to the table, making it ideal for cozy family dinners or gatherings with friends. Enjoy this elegant yet simple soup that can be served as a main course or a flavorful starter.
12
Servings
25
Calories
16
Ingredients
Ingredients
Great Northern Beans
2 cups (soaked overnight)
Baking Soda
1 teaspoon (for soaking)
Hot Water
12 cups (for cooking)
Instant Chicken Bouillon Granules
2 tablespoons (for flavor)
Dried Rosemary
1/4 teaspoon (for flavor)
Dried Thyme
1/4 teaspoon (for flavor)
Bay Leaf
1 (for flavor)
Garlic Cloves
10-15 (unpeeled)
Onions
3 (peeled & coarsely chopped)
Shallot
1 (chopped)
Medium Carrots
5 (coarsely chopped)
Celery Stalks
4 (chopped)
Fresh Parsley
1/4 cup (chopped)
Lean Ham
1 cup (cubed)
Salt
to taste
Black Pepper
to taste
Instructions
1
Soak the beans with 1 teaspoon of baking soda in 12 cups of water for 8 hours or overnight.
2
After soaking, drain and rinse the beans thoroughly.
3
In a slow cooker, combine the soaked beans with water, chicken bouillon granules, rosemary, thyme, and bay leaf. Cook on High for 1 hour.
4
While the beans are cooking, wrap the garlic cloves in aluminum foil and roast them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 30 minutes. Once done, let them cool slightly before peeling.
5
After the first hour, add the chopped onions, carrots, and celery to the bean mixture in the slow cooker and continue cooking on High for another hour.
6
Next, stir in the cubed ham and reduce the cooker setting to Low. Let it cook for approximately 4 hours.
7
Remove about 1 cup of the soup from the pot and transfer it to a bowl. Squeeze the roasted garlic cloves out of their skins and into the bowl. Mash the garlic and stir it into the soup.
8
Using a hand mixer or blender, carefully puree the mixture until slightly chunky, then return the blended soup to the slow cooker.
9
Allow the soup to cook for an additional 30 minutes for the flavors to meld together.
10
Before serving, remember to remove the bay leaf and mix in the freshly chopped parsley.
11
Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper as desired. The flavor will be incredibly rewarding!
Nutrition Information
0.17g
Fat
4.17g
Carbs
1.67g
Protein
1g
Fiber
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main protein source in this soup?
The primary protein sources are Great Northern Beans and 1 cup of cubed lean ham.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe makes 12 servings.
What is the calorie count per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 25 calories.
How should the beans be prepared before cooking?
Soak 2 cups of Great Northern Beans with 1 teaspoon of baking soda in 12 cups of water for 8 hours or overnight, then drain and rinse.
What is the purpose of baking soda in the soaking process?
Baking soda is used during the 8-hour soak to help soften the beans.
At what temperature should the garlic be roasted?
The garlic cloves should be roasted in a preheated oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit or 175 degrees Celsius.
How long does the garlic need to roast?
Roast the garlic cloves wrapped in aluminum foil for 30 minutes.
Which herbs are used for flavoring?
The soup is flavored with dried rosemary, dried thyme, and a bay leaf.
What vegetables are required for the recipe?
The recipe calls for 3 onions, 1 shallot, 5 medium carrots, and 4 celery stalks.
When do you add the vegetables to the slow cooker?
Add the chopped onions, carrots, and celery after the beans have cooked on High for one hour.
When should the ham be added?
Stir in the cubed ham after the vegetables have cooked for one hour, then reduce the heat to Low.
How do you incorporate the roasted garlic into the soup?
Remove 1 cup of soup, squeeze the roasted garlic out of their skins into it, mash them, and stir back into the pot.
What is the recommended cooking time on Low heat?
The soup should cook for approximately 4 hours on the Low setting after the ham is added.
How is the creamy texture achieved?
The soup is partially pureed using a hand mixer or blender until it is slightly chunky.
What should be done after pureeing the soup?
Return the blended mixture to the slow cooker and cook for an additional 30 minutes to meld flavors.
What must be removed before serving?
Always remember to remove the bay leaf before serving the soup.
When is the fresh parsley added?
Mix in 1/4 cup of freshly chopped parsley just before serving.
How much fat is in one serving?
There is approximately 0.17g of fat per serving according to the nutritional information.
How much fiber does this soup provide?
Each serving contains approximately 1g of fiber.
What amount of carbohydrates is in each serving?
There are 4.17g of carbohydrates per serving.
Can this soup be made vegan?
Yes, the recipe suggests a vegan option is possible by omitting the ham and using vegetable bouillon.
How many garlic cloves are used?
The recipe calls for 10 to 15 garlic cloves.
Is it necessary to peel the garlic before roasting?
No, roast them unpeeled in aluminum foil and peel them after they have cooled slightly.
What is the total time the beans cook on High?
The beans cook on High for a total of 2 hours, including the time cooked with vegetables.
What kind of bouillon is recommended?
The recipe uses 2 tablespoons of instant chicken bouillon granules.
How much water is used for cooking?
12 cups of hot water are used for cooking the beans in the slow cooker.
How are the onions and carrots prepared?
Onions should be peeled and coarsely chopped, and carrots should be coarsely chopped.
What is the protein content per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 1.67g of protein.
Is this soup considered a healthy choice?
Yes, it is described as a nutritious, fat-free, and heartwarming dish.
How should I adjust the final taste?
Taste the soup at the end and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper as desired.