Lenten Escarole and Bean Soup

Today is Clean Monday for those practicing Greek Orthodoxy. Time to get out some Lenten-friendly recipes. Try this easy soup ready in just twenty minutes. It’s delicious and hearty – you won’t miss the meat.

Lenten Escarole and Bean Soup

Recipe by The Cooking LawyerCourse: Appetizer, Dinner, SoupCuisine: Mediterranean, ItalianDifficulty: Easy
Servings

4

servings
Prep time

5

minutes
Cooking time

20

minutes
Total time

25

minutes

Lenten escarole and white bean soup is a filling, vegetarian soup. Great as an appetizer or a meal by itself.

Ingredients

  • 4 cups vegetable broth

  • 16 oz. chopped and washed escarole

  • 16 oz. can of white kidney beans (Cannellini beans)

  • 2 cloves of garlic, minced

  • Juice and zest of 1 lemon

  • 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper

  • Salt and pepper

  • Non-stick cooking spray

Directions

  • Spray a soup pot with some non-stick cooking spray. Then add minced garlic. Over low heat, heat the garlic for a minute.
  • Add the escarole, and wilt it down like spinach for 1-2 minutes.
  • Add the juice and zest of the lemon. Stir.
  • Add the liquid and beans to the pot.
  • Season with salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes.
  • Add the vegetable broth and bring to a boil.
  • Let simmer for 20 minutes.
  • Ladle soup into a bowl, and serve with crusty bread.

Notes

  • Prepare the escarole by washing it well to remove any sand. I usually wash it, chop it, and then place the chopped escarole in a bowl of cold water for ten minutes. Rinse the leaves. Then use a salad spinner to dry the escarole. Or you can buy a bag of prewashed and chopped escarole, which saves a lot of time.

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