Minestrone With White Beans and Italian Sausage

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 lb mild Italian sausage, casing removed
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 celery rib, chopped
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 12 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• 4 cups white beans, drained and rinsed (preferably cannellini beans)
• 10 cups water
• 1 cup canned diced tomatoes with juice
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
• 23 lb spinach, stem removed, and leaves washed well (about 1 1/2 quarts)
• grated parmesan cheese, for serving

1. In a lare pot heat the oil over moderately high heat.
2. Add the sausage and cook, stirring frequently, until browned, about 5 minutes.
3. Remove the sausage with a slotted spoon.
4. Reduce the heat to moderate.
5. Add the onion, carrot, celery, garlic, thyme, and bay leaf to the pot and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables have softened, about 10 minutes.
6. Meanwhile combine 2 cups of the beans and 2 cups of the water in a blender and puree until smoooth.
7. Add the tomatoes, the bean puree, the remaining 8 cups water, the salt, and the pepper, to the pot.
8. Bring to a boil, skimming any foam that rises to the surface.
9. Stir in the sausage, the remaining 2 cups bean, and the spinach.
10. Simmer until the spinach wilts, about 3 minutes.
11. Serve the soup topped with grated parmesan, and pass more Parmesan at the table.

olive oil, italian sausage, onion, celery, garlic, thyme, bay leaf, white beans, water, tomatoes, salt, fresh ground pepper, spinach, parmesan cheese

Taken from www.food.com/recipe/minestrone-with-white-beans-and-italian-sausage-333621 (may not work)