Tuscan Bean Soup - Pasta E Sagioli Alla Toscana

Ingredients

3 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup minced red onions
1/2 cup finely diced carrot
1/2 cup finely diced celery
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup tomato puree
2 garlic cloves, peeled
2 cups dried cannelloni beans, soaked and rinsed
8 cups water
2 bay leaves
1/2 cup olive oil
2 sprigs of fresh rosemary, cut in half
2 garlic cloves, peeled
5 ounces dried short pasta, such as ditalini or small macaroni, cooked until tender, drained and rinsed under cool water
Loaf of crusty Italian bread

Instructions

In a heavy bottom pan, over medium heat, add the oil. When the oil is hot, add the onions, carrot and celery. Season with salt and pepper. Saute for 2 minutes. Add the tomato and garlic. Continue to cook for 2 minutes. Add the beans. Continue to cook for 1 minute. Stir in the water. Add the bay leaves and season with salt and pepper. Bring the liquid to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and continue to cook until the beans are tender, about 1 hour and 15 minutes to 1 1/2 hours. In a small saucepan, combine the remaining olive oil, rosemary and garlic. Bring to a simmer and cook until the garlic is golden, about 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from the heat and strain, discarding the rosemary and garlic. Using a handheld blender, puree half of the soup. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in the cooked pasta and continue to simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and ladle into individual bowls. Stir half of the oil into the soup. Serve the remaining oil and bread on the side.

Yield: 6 servings