Tomato And White Bean Soup

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 rib celery, chopped
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 2 15.5-oz. cans white beans, such as cannellini, drained and rinsed
• 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• Salt and pepper
• 1/4 cup pesto, optional
• 1 1/2 cups garlic croutons, optional

1. Warm oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add onion, celery and carrots. Cook, stirring frequently, until vegetables have softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in tomato paste and beans. Pour in broth, season with salt and pepper, increase heat to high and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and simmer, stirring often, until vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes.
2. Remove soup from heat and allow to cool slightly. Working in batches, carefully puree soup in a blender until thick but still a bit chunky. Return soup to pot and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Season with salt and pepper. If soup is too thick, thin with additional broth. Serve hot, topped with pesto and croutons, if desired.

olive oil, onion, celery, carrots, tomato paste, white beans, lowsodium, salt, pesto, garlic croutons

Taken from www.myrecipes.com/recipe/tomato-white-bean-soup (may not work)