Bean Soup {Tuscan Style}

Step 1

Heat 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil in a pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrot, celery and saute 4 minutes.

Step 2

Add garlic and saute 1 minute longer.

Step 3

Pour in chicken broth, Italian seasoning and add parmesan rind. Season with pepper and lightly with salt to taste (wait until the end to add more salt, the rind will infuse some salt to the soup).

Step 4

Cover soup with lid, bring soup to a light boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and let simmer until veggies are tender, about 12 - 15 minutes.

Step 5

Add beans and spinach, let heat just until spinach wilts, about 30 seconds.

Step 6

Remove from heat. Mash up about half the beans with a potato masher (this helps make the brother creamier and heartier).

Step 7

Remove parmesan rind. Drizzle individual servings of soup with remaining 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil (or more to taste) and top with parmesan.