White Bean Soup With Greens

Photo: flickr user EraPhernalia Vintage (catching up)

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil or butter

cup diced celery

cup diced carrot

cup diced onion

1 teaspoon minced garlic

1 can (16 oz.) white navy beans

1 (13 oz.) can clear chicken broth

1/2 cup greens, kale

1/8 teaspoon pepper and salt

2 cans water

8 ounces smoked sausages or ham (diced - 1 ½ c.)

Preparation

Oil or butter in medium size saucepan over medium-low heat. Add celery, carrot, green, onion and garlic stir to mix well. Cover and cook 5 minutes or until vegetables are almost tender. Add remaining ingredients. Bring 2 cups water to boil over medium-high heat.

Reduce heat and cover and simmer 15 minutes for flavors to blend. Pour 1/2 cup beans soup into blender puree until smooth and return to pot. Put other 1/2 cup bean in pot simmer soup uncovered 5 minutes longer. Makes 4 servings.