Spinach and White Bean Soup

If you have a bunch of fresh spinach in your garden and you are looking for an awesome recipe, this spinach and white bean soup is mighty tasty. I whipped this up the other night and served it with Irish soda bread and got rave reviews.

Here is the recipe. I hope you like it, we sure do.

Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 onion, diced
1 stalk celery, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 {16 ounce} cans white beans, rinsed and drained
3 cups chicken stock
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
2 cups fresh spinach, rinsed and sliced thin
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Parmesan cheese for garnish

Directions

In a large saucepan saute the onion and celery in oil for 4 to 5 minutes or until tender.

Add garlic, and cook for 30 seconds {just enough to brown it} and then stir in beans, chicken stock, pepper, and thyme. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 12- 15 minutes.

Using a slotted spoon, remove 2 cups of the bean and vegetable mixture from the soup and set aside. With an imersion blender, blend the rest of the soup in the pot until well semi-pureed, then add the reserved beans and vegetable mixture back to the saucepan.

Bring to a boil, and then stir in the spinach and cook for 1 minute or until spinach is wilted. Stir in lemon juice and remove from heat. Serve warm with a little Parmesan cheese sprinkled on top.