Do-ahead · Soup

Tuscan tomato and white bean soup

Gorgeous, smooth and velvety. Lovely for the Fall.

Serves 4

3 tbsp olive oil
1 onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
4 anchovy fillets, chopped
3 cups vegetable or chicken broth
1 28oz can good quality tomatoes, chopped
1 tbsp tomato paste
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1 tsp dried rosemary
1 14 oz can white beans, rinsed and drained
1 tbsp finely chopped fresh Italian parsley
finely grated Parmesan cheese, to serve

Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large saucepan.
Cook the onion for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add the garlic and anchovies and cook for 2 minutes.
Add the broth, canned tomatoes, tomato paste, salt, pepper and rosemary.
Reserve 1/3 of the white beans then add the remainder to the soup.
Stir to combine and bring to the boil.
Cover with a lid, reduce the heat to medium and simmer for about 10 minutes.
Remove from the heat and puree the soup in a blender or with an immersion stick blender.
Return the soup to the saucepan and stir through the reserved white beans to heat through.
Remove from the heat and stir in the fresh parsley and remaining tbsp of olive oil.
Serve sprinkled with parmesan cheese