Season Of Soups: Recipe: Artichoke & White Bean Soup

Soup doesn’t always have to be a long and involved process. I love quick and easy soup recipes using things I normally have stocked away in my pantry and fridge – that’s what being the LeftoverQueen is all about, right? I love spending hours experimenting in the kitchen but sometimes even I am in a rush and need a quick but healthy meal. To me soup is the opposite end of the coin from salad – both use lots of veggies and healthy ingredients – just one is hot and one is cold. Here is one of those easy, healthy and delicious recipes straight from the pantry!
INGREDIENTS:
2 TBS olive oil
1 medium Spanish onion, chopped
1 10 oz. package of frozen artichokes, rinsed
1 clove of garlic, sliced
2 15 oz. cans Cannelini or Northern Beans
2 cups vegetable broth
juice from half a lemon
salt & pepper to taste
METHOD:
In a stock pot heat the olive oil and add the onions, artichokes and garlic. Saute until onions are soft. Season with salt and pepper. Add beans and stir. Add broth and lemon juice, stir and scrape the bottom of the pot. Salt & pepper to taste. Bring to a boil and then simmer on low for 20 minutes. Put contents of pot into a blender and blend until smooth. Serve with a drizzle of good quality extra virgin olive oil and a slice of crusty bread.




Peter G - February 25, 2008 at 11:35 am
Nice and hearty Jenn! Love cannelini beans
Donald - February 25, 2008 at 11:44 am
Nice and warm! Give me my slippers.
I am trying to think of what that flavor would be like. It sounds delicious.
Judy - February 25, 2008 at 12:05 pm
Love, love, love soups! I love how creamy this one looks without the use of cream!
Heather - February 25, 2008 at 12:10 pm
I love cannelini beans, too! Simple really is best, and this soup looks like simple perfection.
Astra Libris - February 25, 2008 at 12:11 pm
Oh, this recipe looks positively perfect… It’s already emerging from my printer – my guy adores artichokes, and I know he’ll be in raptures over this recipe! I can’t wait to fix it! Thank you!
David Hall - February 25, 2008 at 1:16 pm
Hiya Jenn
Lovely soup, and of course, soup should ALWAYS be simple! I love knocking them up.
Quick question – can you please send me an email, I need to discuss how you moved on from your old Blog to this format, I’m thinking of sorting things out.
Cheers
David
Pixie - February 25, 2008 at 2:16 pm
I just finished having stuffed artichokes for dinner! This sounds like a very interesting and tasty soup, I would love to try it some day. Thanks so much for sharing, jenn.
Emiline - February 25, 2008 at 2:32 pm
Your soup sounds super.
I’m having fun reading all of the joust recipes. There are some really good ones this round!
Jen in MI - February 25, 2008 at 2:47 pm
This looks wonderful, Jenn, and perfect for this season in Michigan!
núria - February 25, 2008 at 3:22 pm
If it has artichokes then it has to be good!!!:D
I love your plates!!!
Nina - February 25, 2008 at 3:59 pm
Great minds think alike- we also had a white bean recipe tonight.Your soup screams: “Eat me. eat me!”
Ivy - February 25, 2008 at 4:00 pm
Never thought as vegetable soups being the hot version of salads but you are right. Its always good to have something else easy to prepare instead of pasta.
Kat - February 25, 2008 at 5:46 pm
this sounds fabulous! another one to bookmark
Deborah - February 25, 2008 at 5:47 pm
Wow – it doesn’t get much easier than this!!
LisaRene - February 25, 2008 at 6:58 pm
With flavorful ingredients like artichoke and lemon and the creaminess imparted from the cannelini beans, no one would ever guess that you “threw” this soup together. It’s elegant enough for a dinner party – and I like easy elegance when entertaining!
Catherine - February 25, 2008 at 7:44 pm
Wow, I’m so loving this soup! I got this tapenade stuff from Costco, artichokes, and I’m thinking a little dap of that stuff would be good in your soup too! Wonderful, Jenn!
Bellini Valli - February 25, 2008 at 11:02 pm
I must confess I have never thought to have artichokes in my soup…now why didn’t I think of that
Marie - February 25, 2008 at 11:05 pm
Jenn, I always buy the frozen artichokes from Trader Joes,they’re sitting in my freezer right now, Oh, and I got the beans, and everything else! Guess what I’m making tomarrow? It will be cold, with another 6″ of snow due to arrive tonight. Your soup will be perfect!
courtney - February 25, 2008 at 11:53 pm
I need to get some cannelini beans. They seem so versatile . Great soup.
marye - February 25, 2008 at 11:58 pm
yummy that sounds so good Jenn….
Maria - February 26, 2008 at 8:55 am
I think I would love this soup too! We don’t get frozen artichokes here.. Only fresh, canned or in a jar in brine or vinegar. Beans are so versatile. I love a good Cannelini bean dip.. with fresh garlic, fresh parsley, lemon, sea salt, cracked pepper.
Cris - February 26, 2008 at 9:36 am
Your china is gorgeous! And the soup looks so good Jenn! Autumn will be hitting here soon, even though we don’t see much difference, but we’ll be able to enjoy the winter recipes you have been posting!
Maggie - February 26, 2008 at 11:09 am
This sounds great and is totally full of stuff I have on hand all the time! I can’t wait to try the recipe.
Lidian - February 26, 2008 at 11:36 am
This sounds terrific – I adore vegetable soups, especially ones I can throw together quickly!
Elly - February 26, 2008 at 12:19 pm
Oooh Jenn. This looks delicious! And so simple. I definitely need to give this one a try.
Lilian - February 26, 2008 at 1:28 pm
I agree with Judy: the soup looks wonderfully creamy without containing a drop of cream (or milk, flour, rice, or potatoes–must be the beans). The only thing I’d add is something green–at least a garnishing of parsley.
Lisa - February 26, 2008 at 4:04 pm
What a delightful sounding soup. Perfect for vegetarians too. Thanks Jenn.
Pam - February 26, 2008 at 5:23 pm
This sounds wonderful. I always have the ingredients for this in my pantry and freezer. I am definitely adding it to my list!
Kevin - February 26, 2008 at 11:23 pm
An artichoke soup sounds good. I don’t use artichokes nearly enough.
Suzana - February 27, 2008 at 8:06 am
Soup, yummy soup! Now, artichokes and beans? Sounds delicious – I’ll have to try that soon!
The Leftover Queen - February 27, 2008 at 12:08 pm
Hi Everyone! I am so glad this soup was such a big hit! Isn’t it wonderful to make something so yummy so quickly and have it be good for you???? I love that.
Thanks Peter G.
Donald, it is very savory and creamy. You should try!
Judy! I too love the creaminess without an ounce of cream! Gotta love them beans!
It is simple perfection, Heather!
I hope your guy likes it Astra!
Yes, David, it is simple and wonderful!
Thanks Pixie! I love stuffed artichokes!
Yes, Emiline the Joust is looking great this month!!!
Thanks so much Jen, Nuria, Nina, Ivy, Kat and Deborah! I hop eyou guys make it and love it!
Thanks LisaRene! I guess you are right!
It sounds like it would be perfect Catherine!
Valli, trust me, you will LOVE it!
The Leftover Queen - February 27, 2008 at 12:11 pm
Marie! You and your TJ’s – you lucky girl! Hope you enjoy the soup!!!
Thanks Courtney, Marye, and Maria (and thanks for the dip recipe!
Thanks Cris! Yep it wil soon be your time to enjoy soup season!
Can’t wait to hear if you like it Maggie!
Thanks Lidian, Elly, Lilian, Lisa, Pam, Kevin and Suzana and anyone I missed! Thaks for all your lovely comments!
Tempered Woman - February 27, 2008 at 12:15 pm
Oh how I lurves me some cannelini beans. I never would have thought to just simply throw them into some soup with artichokes. Fabulous idea! I’m also a big fan of frozen artichoke hearts from Trader Joes~
Dorothy - February 28, 2008 at 4:58 pm
I made this soup night before last and love it! I was a little wary while it was simmering, because it didn’t really smell like much, so I thought it would need more spices, but I’m very glad I didn’t add anything because it was delicious as is! I also couldn’t find frozen artichokes at my grocery store so I used canned, and they seemed to work just fine. Thanks for the recipe.
Deborah Dowd - February 28, 2008 at 10:24 pm
Two of my favorite things-white beans and artichokes Can’t wait to give this a try! Delicious and easy, my favorites in a recipe.
The Leftover Queen - February 29, 2008 at 11:50 am
Totally Miss Tempered! How I miss my Tj’s….
Oh yay, Dorothy! I am so happy that you made it and loved it! Thanks so much for letting me know.
Yes, do try Deborah!