COUNTRY FRENCH VEGETABLE SOUP
(From David Powell cookbook, Gourmet Cooking)
6 cups water, for the beans
1 cup white beans, dry
2 potatoes, diced
1/2 lb green bean cut in 1" pieces
1/4 cup basil, dried (I cut this down a little, to approx 3 tbsp)
5 cloves of garlic, crushed
2 white onions, sliced 1/8" thick (I usually use 1 medium to large)
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
3 tomatoes, peeled and chopped
1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
2 zucchini, julienne into 1" lengths
1/4 cup parsley, chopped
4 cups water, added near the end
1. In Dutch oven, over medium high heat, add 6 cups of water and the bean. Bring to a boil and cook 2 minutes. Reduce the heat to a simmer, cover, and cook 1-1/2 hrs, stirring occasionally
2. Add the potatoes, green bean, basil, and garlic to the beans. Simmer uncovered, for 15 minutes. Add 4 cups of water to the soup; stir.
3. In a large skillet, over medium heat, add 1/4 cup of oil and the onions. Sauté the onions until they are slightly caramelized.
4. Add onions, tomatoes, tomato sauce, and zucchini to the soup. Salt and pepper to taste.
5. Cover the soup and simmer 15 minutes.
6. Serve immediately, garnish with parsley.