White Bean Soup (Fassoulatha)

http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/white_bean_soup_fassoulatha.html

From EatingWell:  November/December 1990

A simple, rich stew of white beans. Serve with Mediterranean Tuna Panini.

8 servings | Active Time: 30 minutes | Total Time: 2 1/2 hours

Ingredients

• 1 pound dried white beans, soaked overnight
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 large onions, finely chopped
• 2 stalks celery, finely chopped
• 2 large carrots, finely chopped
• 1 quart water
• 2 large ripe tomatoes, peeled and mashed, or 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• Freshly ground pepper, to taste

Preparation

1. Drain beans and cook them, covered, in a large pot of boiling water until tender, about 1 1/2 hours. Drain.
2. Heat oil in a Dutch oven or soup pot over medium heat. Sauté onions, celery and carrots for 3 to 5 minutes. Add water, the cooked beans, tomatoes, oregano, salt, cayenne and pepper. Simmer vegetables are tender, about 20 minutes. Taste and adjust seasonings.

Nutrition

Per serving : 255 Calories; 4 g Fat; 1 g Sat; 3 g Mono; 0 mg Cholesterol; 42 g Carbohydrates; 14 g Protein; 11 g Fiber; 329 mg Sodium; 1286 mg Potassium

2 Carbohydrate Serving

Exchanges: 2 starch, 1 vegetable, 2 very lean meat, 1 fat