Hearty Italian Bean Soup

Ingredients

• 1 cup dried beans (kidney, navy, or lima)
• Pinch of baking soda
• ¼ cup olive oil
• ¼ onion, chopped fine
• 1 clove garlic, chopped fine
• 1 sprig parsley, chopped fine
• 1 piece celery, chopped fine
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 cups bean broth
• 1 cup tomatoes (canned or fresh)
• Croutons or dry toast triangles for serving

Method

1. 1 Soak dried beans overnight. Place in cold water with a pinch of soda and boil until tender.
2. 2 Drain the cooking water, then add fresh water to the beans and continue cooking until tender.
3. 3 Fry chopped onion, garlic, parsley, and celery in oil with salt and pepper until delicately brown.
4. 4 Add bean broth and tomatoes to the vegetables, bring to a boil, then pour into the cooked beans.
5. 5 Simmer until heated through. Serve plain or rubbed through a sieve, topped with croutons or toast.