Green Beans and Greens Soup

• 3-ounce chunk prosciutto, preferably cut from shank end
• 1 medium onion
• 3 garlic cloves
• 1/2 pound green beans
• 1 pound chard or beet greens, coarse stems trimmed
• 1 medium to large boiling potato
• 2 tablespoons butter
• One 14 1/2-ounce can chicken broth (1 3/4 cups)

1. Cut prosciutto into 4 pieces.
2. Chop onion and garlic.
3. Snap ends, then cut green beans into 1-inch lengths.
4. Wash greens, dry, and chop.
5. Peel potato, cut into 1/2-inch dice, and keep in bowl covered by cold water.
6. Melt butter in large saucepan over medium heat.
7. Add prosciutto, onion, and garlic.
8. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onion and garlic begin to turn translucent but do not brown, about 3 minutes.
9. Stir in green beans and greens.
10. Stew together, uncovered, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes.
11. Drain potato and add to pot.
12. Add broth plus 1/2 cup hot water.
13. Simmer until potato is tender, about 15 minutes.
14. Discard prosciutto pieces.
15. Season generously with salt and pepper.
16. Serve hot.
17. Variations for Green Beans and Greens Soup
18. Replace the butter and prosciutto with bacon fat alone or the prosciutto with a few chunks of smoked ham.
19. Leave out the meat and make the soup with vegetable broth.
20. Add a rind of Parmesan or two to the soup as it cooks instead of serving grated cheese on the side.
21. Dressing Green Beans and Greens Soup Up: When serving, dress up the soup with fresh basil in one of three ways:
22. (1) Add chopped leaves to each bowlful.
23. (2) Puree a handful of leaves with a little olive oil in a blender, then drizzle the green oil over the tops.
24. (3) Spoon a dollop of pesto over each serving.

onion, garlic, green beans, chard, boiling potato, butter, chicken broth

Taken from www.cookstr.com/recipes/green-beans-and-greens-soup (may not work)