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White bean, bacon and thyme soup

Name: White bean, bacon and thyme soup recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 85 min
Total time: 115 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 225g dried white beans, soaked overnight in cold water; 100g smoked bacon, cut into lardons; 1 bay leaf; 3 thyme sprigs, plus extra to serve; 2 tbs vegetable or extra virgin olive oil; 30g Essentials Unsalted Butter; 1 medium onion, finely chopped; 1 large leek, trimmed, finely chopped; 2 celery stalks, finely chopped; 1 large garlic clove, finely chopped; 150ml milk; Handful of flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped

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30m

1h 25m

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by Rick Stein

Chef, author, TV presenter

Apr 01, 2020

Extra beans in your pantry? This Rick Stein recipe has you covered. Begin this recipe 1 day ahead.

225g dried white beans, soaked overnight in cold water
100g smoked bacon, cut into lardons
1 bay leaf
3 thyme sprigs, plus extra to serve
2 tbs vegetable or extra virgin olive oil
30g Woolworths Essentials Unsalted Butter
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 large leek, trimmed, finely chopped
2 celery stalks, finely chopped
1 large garlic clove, finely chopped
150ml milk
Handful of flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped

Method

1.

Drain soaked beans and transfer to a large saucepan with 6 cups (1.5L) cold water, smoked bacon, bay leaf and thyme sprigs. Place over high heat and bring to the boil, skimming off foam that rises to the surface. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes or until beans are partially cooked.
2.

Meanwhile, heat the oil and butter in a large frypan over medium-low heat and add the onion, leek, celery and garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 10-12 minutes until softened. Add vegetables to the partially cooked beans with 1 cup (250ml) water and continue to cook for a further 1 hour-1 hour 15 minutes until the beans are tender.
3.

Spoon one-third of the beans and some of the liquid into a blender and whiz until smooth. Transfer back into pan, add the milk, then stir to combine and warm through. Season to taste. Scatter over parsley and extra thyme leaves to serve.