Easy Tomato and White Bean Soup - A Quick 'Healthy' lunch

Once again, let's cook from the pantry and fridge
We keep stuff in our pantry, it sits there for months, we should use it.
Then replenish.
This soup is so excellent and EASY.
The bacon adds extra flavour...if you really want to be healthy, leave that out but I suggest you keep it in, it's what makes this soup different.

1 tablespoon olive oil
2 rashers streaky bacon
1 onion finely chopped
1 clove garlic finely chopped
1/2 red pepper finely chopped
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon chili flakes
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup wine
2 cans tomato chopped
1 cup Cannellini beans, drained and rinsed.
1 cup chicken stock ( you can use water)
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

Garnish
Basil and Coriander chopped

Add 1 tablespoon olive oil in pan and gently fry 2 bacon rashers till crisp and the fat is rendered out

Remove bacon chop and set aside.
Add 1 finely chopped onion to fat
Let it pick up all the tasty brown bits and sauté till soft
Add garlic and red pepper
Add sugar and chili flakes
Season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Add wine and let reduce

Add tomatoes, beans and stock
Bring to boil and simmer about 20 minutes
Add balsamic vinegar

Simmer for another 10 minutes

Serve with chopped herbs and chopped bacon

Or as an alternative serve with a spoonful of the Tonnato Sauce made for the Chicken
Tonnato click here. and top with the herbs
Both are excellent garnishes.

I took some of Terry’s biscuits from the freezer see here
A great accompaniment smothered with melted butter.
The soup is so healthy, you can go overboard with the accompaniment.