White Bean Soup with Kale

Name: White Bean Soup with Kale
Yield: serves 6 to 8
Ingredients: 1 pound dried white beans, such as Great Northern, cannellini, or navy; 3 tablespoons olive oil; 1 large onion, chopped; 2 leeks, white and pale-green parts only, sliced (about 1 cup); 1 large tomato, seeded and chopped; 1 large carrot, chopped; 2 celery stalks, chopped; 8 garlic cloves, finely chopped; 3 strips thick-sliced bacon, chopped; 8 cups Chicken Stock (page 28); 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme leaves; 1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary leaves; 2 cups water; 1 pound kale, stems and center ribs discarded, leaves coarsely chopped; Kosher salt; Freshly ground black pepper; Hot sauce

December 9, 2011

Pat: Creamy, smoky white beans, simmered with some kind of pork fat, are a Southern staple, especially when served with a wedge of warm cornbread. This white-bean soup is finished with kale, a nourishing green that’s packed with vitamins A and C (the leaves are so pretty that Gina uses the green and purple varieties to decorate her party trays). Smoked sausage makes a great addition to this soup, and what we do then is leave out the bacon and add 1/2 pound of sliced smoked sausage instead. (You’ve heard the expression “an eye for an eye” in Memphis we say “a pig for a pig.”)

Cooks' Note

Like most soups, this one is best if made 1 or 2 days ahead. Cool completely, uncovered, then chill, covered. When reheating, thin the soup with a little water if necessary.

Recipe notes

Our Favorite French Onion Soup

Caramelized onions, melty Gruyère, and a deeply savory broth deliver the kind of comfort that doesn’t need improving.

Butternut Squash–Kale Salad With Roasted Garlic Vinaigrette

Round out these autumn greens with tart pomegranate seeds, crunchy pepitas, and a shower of Parmesan.

White Bean Turkey Chili

A dash of cocoa powder adds depth and richness to the broth of this easy turkey chili.

Mascarpone Cheesecake

An extra-silky filling (no water bath needed!) and a smooth sour cream topping make this the ultimate cheesecake.

Béchamel Sauce

This classic 15-minute sauce is your secret weapon for homemade mac and cheese, chowder, lasagna, and more.

Dulce de Leche

Make this versatile caramel at home with our slow-simmered method using milk and sugar—or take one of two sweetened condensed milk shortcuts.

Smothered Italian Sausage

This is what I call a fridge-eater recipe. The key here is getting a nice sear on the sausage and cooking the tomato down until it coats the sausage and vegetables well.

Classic Potato Latkes

Crispy. Golden. Fluffy. Bubbe would approve.