Italian-Style White Bean and Asparagus Soup - Rancho Gordo

Ingredients

•5 tablespoons olive oil (divided use), plus more for serving

•½ cup chopped shallots or red onion

•1 celery stalk, finely chopped

•1 garlic clove, minced

•1 medium Yukon Gold (or other waxy) potato, peeled and chopped

•½ cup tomato puree

•1 pound fresh asparagus, bottom 2 inches cut off and discarded, stalks peeled and roughly chopped

•2 cups cooked Rancho Gordo white heirloom beans, such as Marcella or Alubia Blanca, cooking liquid reserved

•Vegetable or chicken broth, as needed

•2 ounces prosciutto, diced (optional)

•Salt and pepper

•Chopped fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Directions

1In a soup pot over medium heat, warm 4 tablespoons of the olive oil. Add the shallots, celery, and garlic, and cook, stirring, about 5 minutes, until the vegetables begin to soften. Add the potato, tomato puree, asparagus, and beans. Stir in 4 cups of the reserved bean-cooking liquid and/or broth and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the asparagus and potatoes are tender, about 30 minutes.

2Meanwhile, if using prosciutto, warm the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Add the prosciutto and fry until golden and crisp, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside.

3Transfer the soup to a blender or food processor or use an immersion blender, and process until smooth. Return to the pot, season with salt and pepper, and reheat before serving. Divide among bowls, and top with fried prosciutto and parsley, if using.