Next Generation Life Fitness

White Bean Minestrone (Minestrone d'orzo e Fagioli)

Preptime: 15 min.
Cooktime: 1 hour 0 min.

Calories: 164
Carbs: 34g
Fat: 1g
Fiber: 9g
Protein: 8g
Satfat: 0g
Sodium: 321mg

Ingredients:
3/4 cup dried white beans
1/3 cup barley
1/4 cup diced onion
1/4 cup diced carrot
1/3 cup diced celery
2 medium russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 bay leaf

Directions:
1. Bring a large soup pot of water to a boil. Add the white beans, turn off the heat, cover and let stand for 1 hour.

2. Drain the beans. Put them back in the soup pot along with the onion, carrot, celery, potatoes, bay leaf and 4 cups of water. Simmer until the beans are tender, about 1 hour.

3. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, bring 1 cup of salted water to a boil. Add the barley, reduce the heat to low and cook until the barley is tender, about 45 minutes. Set aside.

4. Using a blender, puree 1/3 of the soup and pour it back into the soup pot.

5. Add the barley. Season with salt and pepper. Heat thoroughly and serve.