Creamy White Bean and Chorizo Soup

Submitted by Valerie in Florida

"From Epicurious.com. Preparation time does not include soaking beans"

 

• Ready In: 2hrs 10mins
• Ingredients: 13
• Serves: 6

ingredients

• 453.59 g dried cannellini beans (generous 2 cups) or 453.59 g great northern bean (generous 2 cups)
• 1892.72 ml water
• 44.37 ml extra virgin olive oil, divided
• 3 garlic cloves, 1 smashed, 2 chopped
• 1 large fresh rosemary sprig
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 large onion, coarsely chopped (about 2 cups)
• 1 large carrot, coarsely chopped (about 1 cup)
• 1 large celery, coarsely chopped (about 3/4 cup)
• 12.32 ml finely chopped fresh thyme, divided
• 946.36 ml low sodium chicken broth
• 453.59 g fresh link chorizo sausage, casings removed
• 59.14 ml whipping cream

directions

1. Place beans in heavy large saucepan. Add enough water to pan to cover beans by 4 inches. Let beans soak overnight at room temperature.
2. Drain and rinse beans; return to same saucepan. Add 8 cups water, 1 tablespoon oil, smashed garlic clove, rosemary, and bay leaf. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, partially cover, and simmer until beans are just tender, 1 to 11/2 hours. Season to taste with salt. (Can be prepared 2 days ahead. Cool slightly, cover, and chill.).
3. Drain beans, reserving cooking liquid. Discard rosemary sprig and bay leaf. Heat remaining 2 tablespoons oil in heavy large pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrot, and celery. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Sauté until vegetables are beginning to soften, about 10 minutes. Add chopped garlic and 1 teaspoon thyme; sauté 2 minutes. Add 2 cups reserved bean cooking liquid, 4 cups chicken broth, and beans. Bring to boil; reduce heat to medium and simmer uncovered until vegetables are tender, about 25 minutes. Cool soup 10 minutes. Meanwhile, sauté chorizo in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat until cooked through, breaking up lumps with back of spoon, about 5 minutes. Transfer chorizo to paper towels to drain.
4. Using slotted spoon, remove 1 1/2 cups bean mixture from soup; reserve. Working in batches, puree remaining soup in blender until smooth. Return puree to pot. Stir in reserved whole-bean mixture, remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons thyme, chorizo, and cream. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Chill uncovered until cold. Cover and keep chilled.) Rewarm soup over medium heat, thinning with more broth if desired. Season with salt and pepper. Divide soup among bowls and serve.

Reviews

[harpchick]

This is a tasty hearty dinner soup! I cooked the beans (I used navy beans) in the slowcooker on high for 4 hours. I saved the cooking water but found that I didn't need to add it because the soup was the right consistency with only the chicken broth. I used pre-cooked chorizo so after I sauteed it in the dutch oven I simply added the veggies to the drippings instead of dirtying another pot. The soup definitely improves after sitting in the fridge for a few days. Thanks for the great recipe!

 

[Zoesmama]

My husband made this for our entire family and they raved about it. He substituted half and half for the whipping cream... Just soooo good!