Artichoke White Bean Soup Food

WHITE BEAN & ARTICHOKE SOUP

Steps:

• In a stockpot over medium-high heat, sauté onion in the olive oil until translucent (approx. 3-5 minutes).
• Add the pepper, artichoke hearts, garlic, salt, roasted red pepper, sage, and bay leaf. Stir for 1 minute.
• Add the vegetable broth and beans. Bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat and simmer for five minutes or until the beans are heated through. In batches, transfer soup to a blender and puree until smooth, or use an immersion blender right in the pot.
• Add soup back to stockpot and stir in lemon juice. Adjust the salt and pepper to taste.

ARTICHOKE & WHITE BEAN SOUP

Steps:

• Puree artichoke hearts and beans in the food processor.
• Heat the oil over medium heat in a small saucepan.
• Add the garlic and saute.
• Add the artichoke/bean puree and the broth and heat through.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• Garnish with mint and croutons.

'SPRING CHICKEN' SOUP WITH ARTICHOKES, WHITE BEANS AND LEMONGRASS

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a 3-quart soup pot over medium heat. When the oil is hot, add the onion and cook until tender and fragrant, about 2 minutes.
• Trim 1 inch away from the white end of the lemongrass, then cut off the green tops of the stalk and discard. Bash the lemongrass with the flat end of a meat mallet until the stalk is flattened. Cut the stalk in half, then slice one half lengthwise into strips, and finely mince the other half.
• Add the garlic and minced lemongrass to the pot, give a good stir and cook for another 2 minutes. Stir in the white beans, artichokes and soy sauce. Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and pinch of pepper and give another good stir. Add the Basic Chicken Stock and shredded chicken, drop the remaining lemongrass strips into the soup and allow to simmer for 30 minutes.
• Remove any large lemongrass strips before serving. Garnish with freshly torn parsley or cilantro as desired.
• Cut the chicken carcass bones in half, through the backbone. Place all of the chicken bones into a soup pot along with the carrot, celery, onion and parsley stems. Pour water into the pot until all of the ingredients are covered. Bring the pot to a boil over medium-high heat. When the water reaches a boil, reduce the heat to low. Allow the stock to simmer over low heat, uncovered, occasionally skimming off any foam that forms on the top, for 2 hours.
• Strain the stock through a fine-mesh strainer. Discard the bones and vegetables. Use the stock immediately, or chill the stock overnight in the refrigerator. The next day, remove any fat and solids that have gathered on the surface. The stock will keep in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or can be frozen for future use.

WHITE BEAN-ARTICHOKE SPREAD WITH BRUSCHETTA

Steps:

• Preheat a grill.
• Begin by peeling 2 of the artichokes until you get to the hearts. Saute the artichokes in a medium size skillet with olive oil, shallots, thyme, and the white beans on medium high heat for 10 minutes or until softened. Place mixture into a blender and add remaining ingredients, and pulse until all ingredients are blended.
• Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot.
• To make the crisp artichokes, simply cut the tough leaves around the artichokes until you reach the heart, keeping part of the stem. Cut into quarters, toss lightly in flour, and fry until crisp in the oil. Remove from pan, and drain on paper towels.
• To make the balsamic reduction, simply put the balsamic vinegar in a small saucepan on high heat, and reduce down to almost a syrup consistency. Remove from heat, and let cool to room temperature.
• To serve, grill 4 slices of sourdough bread rubbed with olive oil. Place on a serving plate. Top each slice with a few arugula leaves. Lightly spread a spoonful of the pureed artichoke mixture on the bread, and then top with crisp artichoke pieces. Drizzle a little balsamic reduction around bruschetta, and season with salt and pepper.

WHITE BEAN AND ARTICHOKE DIP

Steps:

• Place garlic and rosemary in a food processor and finely chop. Add lemon juice and blend. Add beans and artichoke hearts and puree until smooth, stopping the machine a few times to scrape down the sides. Salt and pepper to taste. Serve with carrot and celery sticks and/or pita bread (not potato chips!). Dip will keep refrigerated for 2 to 3 days.