I stepped off the plane from Italy about thirty-six hours ago.
I am already missing Bologna.
It’s my home away from home, away from home.
I miss its sights and sounds and smells.
But I’m also real glad to be home. Long trips abroad are equal parts wonderful and relaxing, and hectic and exhausting. Or maybe that’s just how it goes when you’re running all over a medieval city chasing your crazy in-laws around.
My body is craving anything but cheese and pasta and risotto and wine. I want wholesome, nutrient-dense, brothy goodness. And, greens. My body need a reset. This restorative greens and beans soup is everything I am craving. And I guess it doesn’t matter whether you’re acclimating home from traveling or just trying to hang in there mid-holiday chaos – a clean, simple bowl of healing soup can do your body good.
My favorite way to stay on track between holiday parties and cocktails is to make a giant pot of greens and beans soup in my Le Creuset stock pot. Its extra-large size allows me to easily double, triple, and even quadruple this or any soup recipe so that I have healthy easy snacks, lunches, and meals on hand throughout the week. This recipe can be scaled up or down, depending on how large your pot is and how much you want to make, prep and store.
The greens and beans part of the greens and beans soup recipe is also really flexible. Here I’ve used kale, but you can use any greens you have on hand like spinach, collards, chard, baby kale, etc. And I’ve used great northern beans, but you can use navy, cannellini, chick pea, etc. Feel free to experiment, and enjoy!
Restorative Greens + Beans Soup
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 onion diced small
- 1 large shallot minced
- 5 garlic cloves minced
- 3 celery stalks diced small
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 bay leaves
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 10 cups vegetable broth or water {see notes}
- 4 cups cooked white beans {see notes}
- 6 packed cups kale {see notes}
Instructions
- In a large stock pot heat the olive oil over low and sweat the onions for 5 minutes. Then add in the shallot and garlic and sweat for 5 minutes longer. Then turn up the heat to low-medium and add in the celery and cook for another 5 minutes. Pour in the lemon juice, stir and scrape the browned bits from the bottom of the pot into the mixture.
- Next add in the salt, pepper, bay leaves, thyme, basil and broth. Turn the heat up to medium and bring to a gentle boil. Then turn the heat down and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Lastly add in the cooked beans and kale and simmer until the kale is bright green and tender, about 3 - 5 minutes.
- Serve hot with a twist of pepper. And if you'd like, parmesan cheese on top is a great way to finish this dish off.
Notes
The post is in partnership with AllModern + Le Crueset; all opinions are my own.
Natalia says
This soup looks so delicious, love beans in soups! Thank you for another gorgeous winter recipe!
Sherrie says
You’re welcome Natalia! I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
Shelley says
Firstly, your trip! It seriously looked fantastic! A week of all the carbs, all the Italian wine and all the family time – what a magical pre-holiday getaway. Next up, this soup. I love a good broth based soup with lots of “stuff,” and this falls right into that category. This will definitely be high in the rotation come January. Finally, your new yellow table! Oh la la I love it!
Abby @ Heart of a Baker says
Ohh I totally hear you girl! I just got back from vacation too and I need to get back into the veggies and soup game, rather than eating ALL the carbs and wine. Your trip looked amazing, I’m crossing my fingers for an Italy trip soon.
Sarah | Well and Full says
This looks like the perfect bite to eat after a pasta-fueled vacation! But honestly, I could eat this at any time – I just love a good soup.
betty says
Your trip looked amazing! When I was there I only passed through Bologna at the station and went straight to Gradara, but I wish I had more time in the actual city! I’m going to have to go back. I’m currently battling a nasty case of cold, and a wholesome, nutrient-dense brothy reset sounds exactly like what I need. Thanks for this inspiration!
Sherrie says
Next time you have to go. I’ll give you all my favorite eats/must-dos.
Caroline says
Welcome home! I saw bits of your trip on social media and it looked amazing! I completely understand the need to detox. I’ve been doing way too much baking which, of course involves eating and my body is on sugar-overload. This is exactly what I need right now and love the simplicity of it. We all need more simplicity, right?
Sherrie says
Simplicity, always – xx.
amanda paa says
I want to go to Bologna so so much after following along with your stories. Although I think I’d want to go with someone who’s been before, who can find those hidden spots where the women are still making all the HOMEMADE PASTA. And that one restaurant you kept going to {Mariposa?} looked incredible.
All these things in your home, so lovely! They fit you and your style so very well. I want a dining room table. And that red and yellow combo is bomb. I love the idea of beans and greens, and the refreshing yet heart bowl it would be. xo
Sherrie says
Well, we’ll have to go together then, xx.
Todd Wagner says
I totally feel you on the post-Italy food cravings. We’ve been in non-stop baking mode at my house. If I see one more buttery, sugary cookie, I might just pop! This big hearty, cleansing bowl of soup is definitely happening this week. Thank you for the inspo.
Lily | Kale & Caramel says
THAT TABLE AND THAT POT ARE PURE JOY!!! Amazing what a few pops of color like that can do. And I can’t wait to make this soup. Thanks for inspiring me to bring some color into my world.
Sherrie says
Thank you for slaying the color game, always. xx
Ruby & Cake says
That soup pot is so stunning. Im with you on some hearty soup – this may be a season of indulgence but I think I might explode if I have to consume one more peppermint flavoured thing. Gorgeous shots! xo
Sherrie says
Awe thank you, Ruby! xo
Anyes says
Hello, thank you for your amazing recipes. Do You know that your website advertising for Carrefour supermarket foie gras? Being vegan conscious I thought you ought to know as “foie gras” involves a lot of suffering to ducks or geese. Blessings, Anyes.
Sherrie says
Hi Anyes – I didn’t realize this particular ad was displaying on my website. That’s horrible. Unfortunately though, there is little I can do about it because the ads shown to you are based on information that your computer holds {cookies}. So for whatever reason, the cookies stored on your end is surfacing this advertisement. I do appreciate your feedback/concern and taking the time to write me. All the best, xx.
Sara @ Cake Over Steak says
Your trip to Italy looked INCREDIBLE. This soup would be the perfect way to detox after something like that. And I love how simple it is. Thank you for this gem!
Jennifer Farley says
I can totally relate. “Wonderful and relaxing + hectic and exhausting” basically sums up every trip abroad I’ve ever taken. I’m grateful none of these trips have involved my in-laws yet (knock on wood). We lose so much sleep and hydration on these trips and these long flights. This type of soup is the perfect answer. It looks amazing.
Valentina says
Ah we were in Bologna at the same time (I’m still here actually!). We need to meet for coffee next time you are here! I totally relate to the detox sentiment. This soup still looks really Italian (and really, really good). Happy detox-ing from mortadella and tortellini and tagliatelle.
Sherrie says
We were?! I feel like from my brief stalking you (lol) on Instagram that you were elsewhere. Next time for sure!
Marta says
The soup sounds so comforting!
Jodi says
Ah this bowl is everything I’ve been craving lately. I do love a good white bean in pretty much everything, and this one is everything, Sherrie. Your trip looked dreamy. I know what you mean about a home away from home, I often think about our little town in France that way. There is something so familiar about some of those little European towns, their culture is so strong you immediately feel a part of something great. Happy early holidays to you, hoping that yellow table is bringing all things of comfort and joy. xx
Laura (A Beautiful Plate) says
I love simple bean soups like this! And I know what you mean about traveling. As much as it’s fun to indulge while you’re away, I always crave these types of things once I’m home. So jealous of your Bologna travels! My dream come true.
Sara says
This looks wonderful and I’m a big fan of kale. Thank you so much – I might survive winter yet!
Jesse says
If one would want to dress this up a bit (not that it’s not wonderful as is) could I replace some of the water or broth w/a dry white wine?
Sherrie says
Hi Jesse – of course! The broth would be a great substitution and a the white wine would be a great addition.