White Bean and Escarole Soup

• 2 cups (473 mL) dried cannellini beans, soaked in water overnight
• 4 cloves garlic, peeled and cut into large pieces
• 1 head escarole, washed and roughly chopped
• 2 tablespoons (30 mL) extra virgin olive oil
• 1 small yellow onion, peeled and chopped
• 15 cherry tomatoes, quartered
• 2 teaspoons (10 mL) red pepper flakes
• Salt, to taste
• Grated cheese (Caciocavallo or another cheese that melts easily is best, but you can also use pecorino cheese), for serving
• Toasted crusty bread, for serving

1. Rinse the soaked beans and put them in a pot with the chopped garlic.
2. Add enough water to cover the beans by 2 inches (5 cm).
3. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to medium-low, and cook until the beans are tender (about 1 1/2 to 2 hours, depending on how fresh the beans are).
4. When the beans are done, boil the chopped escarole in 1 quart of water until it wilts.
5. Do not drain.
6. Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a saute pan.
7. Add the onions and saute until they are tender.
8. Add the tomatoes and cook another 2 minutes, until the tomatoes release some of their liquid.
9. Add the red pepper flakes.
10. When the onion mixture is cooked, combine it with the cooked escarole and the reserved cooking liquid and add the entire mixture to the cooked beans.
11. Bring to a boil and cook for about 5 minutes for the flavors to blend.
12. Season with salt and add more red pepper, if necessary.
13. Serve hot with the grated cheese and toasted crusty bread.

cannellini beans, garlic, head, extra virgin olive oil, yellow onion, tomatoes, red pepper, salt, cheese, crusty bread

Taken from www.cookstr.com/recipes/white-bean-and-escarole-soup (may not work)