Great Northern Bean Soup

Ingredients and Weight:

• Great Northern beans, dry, 1 pound
• Olive oil, 2 tablespoons
• Onion, chopped, 1 small
• Celery, chopped, 1 stalk
• Carrots, chopped, 3 medium
• Garlic, minced, 2 cloves
• Vegetable broth, 8 cups
• Canned diced tomatoes, 1 (14.5 ounce) can
• Bay leaf, 1
• Dried oregano, 1 teaspoon
• Dried thyme, 1 teaspoon
• Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation Time:

• 1 hour to soak the beans, plus 1 hour to cook

Cooking Time:

• 2 hours, plus any additional time to soak the beans

Difficulty Level:

• Level 2 (Fairly easy)

Preparation Method Steps:

1. Sort and rinse the beans. Soak them in plenty of cold water for at least 1 hour, or overnight.
2. Drain the beans and rinse them again. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, celery, carrots, and garlic and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
3. Add the beans, vegetable broth, tomatoes, bay leaf, oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until the beans are tender, about 2 hours.
4. Remove the bay leaf and season the soup to taste with additional salt and pepper if needed.

Nutritional Information:

• Calories: 250
• Fat: 10 grams
• Carbohydrates: 40 grams
• Protein: 15 grams
• Fiber: 10 grams

Dish Characteristics:

• Hearty and flavorful
• Rich in vegetables and beans
• Suitable for a vegetarian or vegan diet

User Comments:

• "This soup was so easy to make and it was absolutely delicious! The beans were perfectly cooked and the broth was so flavorful."
• "I love that this soup is packed with vegetables. It's a great way to get your daily dose of veggies."
• "This soup is perfect for a cold day. It's so comforting and satisfying."

Special Precautions and Tips:

• If you don't have time to soak the beans overnight, you can quick-soak them. Bring the beans and water to a boil, then remove from heat and let stand for 1 hour.
• If you don't have vegetable broth, you can use chicken or beef broth instead.
• To make a thicker soup, mash some of the beans before adding them to the pot.
• Serve the soup with a side of crusty bread or grilled cheese sandwiches.